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UNIVERSITY   OF    ILLINOIS. 

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Agricultural  Experiment  Station 

CHAMPAIGN,  DECEMBER,  189? 


BULLETIN  NO.  28. 

CONTENTS — GRAPES,  TEST  OF  VARIETIES. 
A  GRAPE  DISEASE. 
GRAPES,  METHOD  OF  TRAINING. 


GRAPES,  TEST  OF  VARIETIES. 

Experiment  No.  40,  Grapes;   Test  of  Varieties. 

This  test  of  varieties  of  grapes  was  begun  in  the  spring  of  i88Sy 
with  the  first  organization  of  the  Experiment  Station. 

A  comparatively  high  tract  of  land  with  light  colored  prairie  soil  is 
used  for  the  grapes.  It  slopes  gently  to  the  south  and  is  naturally  fairly 
well  drained.  A  line  of  tile  running  along  the  lower  side  at  a  depth  of 
31^  feet  makes  the  drainage  still  better. 

The  vines  were  set  ten  feet  apart  each  way.  This  distance  gives  more 
room  than  may  seem  advisable  for  general  planting  ;  but  it  was  thought 
that  it  would  be  more  convenient  for  the  inspection  of  varieties  by  those 
taking  notes  or  by  visitors.  The  distance  apart  in  the  row  is  greater 
than  is  needed  by  many  of  the  varieties,  while  others  would  apparently 
use  more  to  advantage. 

Until  the  season  just  past  all  the  varieties  were  trained  to  single 
stakes  and  a  combination  of  the  spur  and  renewal  systems  of  pruning 
was  used.  The  past  year  all  were  put  on  a  two-wire  trellis  running 
north  and  south.  Some  varieties,  especially  the  strong  growing  ones, 
yield  decidedly  more  when  on  a  trellis  than  when  on  stakes  and  it  is  much 
easier  to  keep  them  under  control  and  to  gather  the  fruit.  Many  of  the 
bunches  on  vines  trained  to  stakes  become  entangled  and  it  is  very  diffi- 
cult to  pick  them  off  without  cutting  them  to  pieces. 

At  the  time  of  starting  the  vineyard  all  of  the  varieties  standard 
for  this  latitude  .and  all  of  what  were  considered  the  most  promising  of 

249 


250  BULLETIN   NO.   28.  \December, 

the  varieties  not  standard,  fifty-four  in  all,  were  planted.  With  the 
exception  of  Concord,  Moore's  early,  Worden,  Ives  seedling,  and  Dela- 
ware, only  a  single  vine  of  a  kind  was  set.  While  this  is  too  small  a 
number  of  plants  from  which  to  judge  a  whole  variety,  it  did  not  seem 
advisable  to  plant  more  at  that  time  and  this  preliminary  report  must 
therefore  be  taken  with  due  allowance  for  further  observation. 

The  results  now  obtained  cannot  be  relied  on  with  certainty  even 
for  the  vineyard  in  which  the  varieties  have  been  grown,  and  must  be 
less  trustworthy  for  other  places.  As  an  illustration  of  what  is  meant, 
the  behavior  of  some  of  the  varieties  of  which  several  vines  were  planted 
may  be  noted.  Until  the  present  season,  all  of  the  Concords  have 
seemed  in  as  good  health  as  is  usual  with  that  variety.  This  season  the 
leaves  on  one  of  the  vines  began  to  die  about  the  latter  part  of  July,  and 
by  the  time  the  fruit  should  have  been  ripe  nearly  all  the  leaves  were 
more  or  less  affected,  and  at  least  one-third  of  them  had  fallen  off.  As 
a  result  of  the  diseased  condition  of  the  leaves,  the  fruit  was  very  much 
later  in  ripening  (at  least  a  week  or  ten  days),  and  it  never  attained 
either  the  size  or  richness  in  quality  of  the  fruit  on  vines  in  perfect 
health.  The  vines  also,  necessarily,  made  less  growth  and  ripened  their 
wood  less  perfectly  than  those  that  had  healthy  foliage.  The  only 
difference  between  the  treatment  of  the  vine  that  was  diseased  and  of 
those  that  remained  healthy  was  in  the  method  of  training,  and  this  was 
so  slight,  that  it  probably  had  no  effect.  Soil  and  culture  were  exactly 
the  same,  so  far  as  one  could  judge  by  observation. 

There  are  eight  vines  of  Delaware  growing  in  the  same  vineyard. 
In  the  season  of  1892  one  of  them  shed  its  leaves  early  from  disease, 
and  the  fruit,  as  a  consequence,  failed  to  ripen.  Although  it  was  left 
until  the  fruit  was  all  gone  from  the  healthy  vines,  the  fruit  on  this  one 
was  still  green  and  sour.  This  year  (1893)  the  vine  that  was  diseased 
last  year  seemed  to  be  in  good  health,  while  another  one  a  short  distance 
away  shed  its  leaves  prematurely  and  so  failed  to  ripen  its  fruit  properly. 
The  method  of  training  the  two  Delaware  vines  is  somewhat  different, 
though  both  are  on  a  trellis.  The  behavior  of  Moore's  early  has  not 
been  the  same  for  all  the  plants.  Some  of  them  shed  their  leaves  so 
badly  as  to  fail  entirely  to  ripen  the  fruit  ;  while  on  others  that  held 
their  foliage  as  they  should  the  fruit  ripened  well. 

The  same  vine  behaves  differently  in  other  respects  than  with  ref- 
erence to  disease.  During  the  seasons  of  1890  and  1891  one  vine  of 
Worden  bore  larger  and  much  more  compact  bunches  of  grapes  and 
seemed  to  ripen  them  from  2  to  3  days  earlier  than  the  rest.  All  but 
this  one  were  more  like  the  Concord  in  fruit  and  season  than  they  were 
like  this  one  Worden.  In  fact,  the  similarity  to  Concord  was  so  great 
it  was  decided  that  an  error  had  been  made  and  new  plants  were  pur- 
chased to  replace  five  of  the  old  ones  which  were  grubbed  out.  The 
new  plants  were  set  in  the  spring  of  1892,  and  have  not  yet  fruited. 
Both  the  crops  of  1892  and  1893  on  the  special  vine  that  had  been  sup- 


1893- J  TEST    OF    VARIETIES    OF    GRAPES.  251 

posed  to  be  a  typical  Worden,  have  been  much  more  like  the  Concord 
than  the  crops  of  1890  and  1891.  Indeed,  it  would  have  passed  readily 
at  any  time  for  a  Concord,  except  for  the  difference  in  season,  and  a 
variation  in  season  is  frequently  found  in  the  same  variety  and  is  the 
result  of  different  causes,  such  as  disease,  comparative  amount  of  crop, 
cultivation,  etc. 

In  consulting  the  descriptions  of  varieties  and  placing  a  value  on 
each,  it  must  be  remembered  that  we  have  but  a  single  plant  of  a  kind, 
and  that  individuals  of  a  variety  vary  as  shown  above.  Many  of  the 
descriptions  are  made  up  from  one  year's  fruit,  and  so  could  not  be  so 
accurate  as  if  more  time  had  been  allowed.  The  descriptions  are  for 
the  fruit  and  plants  as  grown  here,  and  many  of  them  would  not  hold 
for  the  same  variety  grown  in  other  places. 

The  character  of  the  season  makes  a  great  deal  of  difference  in  the 
quality  of  the  grape,  aside  from  what  comes  as  a  result  of  the  health  of 
the  vine  itself.  A  warm,  sunny,  and  dry  season  will  give  grapes  of 
excellent  quality,  if  the  vines  are  in  good  healthy  condition;  while  a 
season  of  the  opposite  character  will  give  fruit  that  is  sour  and  poor  in 
quality  even  on  healthy  vines.  Fruit  on  a  vine  that  is  overloaded  will 
not  ripen  so  early  and  will  not  be  so  good  in  quality  when  it  does  ripen 
as  that  on  a  vine  bearing  less. 

Fruit  on  vines  that  have  shed  their  leaves  from  disease  or  other 
cause  ripens  later  than  on  healthy  vines  and  is  always  comparatively 
sour  and  poor  in  quality. 

The  descriptions  and  estimates  of  varieties  as  given  here  will  be 
found  in  many  instances  not  to  agree  with  those  published  in  other 
places,  and  especially  not  with  those  sent  out  in  connection  with  varie- 
ties introduced  as  novelties.  The  reason  may  be  easily  found.  There 
are  few  published  descriptions  of  grapes  as  they  are  grown  so  far  west 
as  this.  In  making  descriptions  it  seems  to  be  the  practice  to  use  the 
very  best  bunches,  such  as  are  produced  in  the  best  grape  growing 
localities  and  in  the  most  favorable  seasons.  As  grapes  are  usually 
grown,  bunches  so  figured  and  described  are  seldom  found.  The  esti- 
mates placed  on  many  of  the  newer  things  will  be  found  at  variance 
with  the  introducers'.  The  one  giving  the  description  may  be  perfectly 
honest  in  what  he  says,  but  under  different  conditions  the  variety  fails 
to  develop  the  characters  which  he  attributes  to  it.  In  giving  the  time 
of  ripening  of  a  variety  comparison  has  usually  been  made  with  Con- 
cord, because  that  variety  is  more  generally  and  better  known  than  any 
other.  The  actual  time  of  ripening  varies  with  the  season,  and  of 
course  with  the  latitude  in  which  the  grapes  are  grown,  while  the  com- 
parative date  remains  practically  the  same.  The  season  as  it  has  been 
found  here  does  not  always  agree  with  Downing's  statements;  for  in- 
stance, he  says  Massasoit  "  ripens  before  Concord."  Our  report  says, 
"  season  about  one  week  later  than  Concord."  Of  course  there  is  a  pos- 
sibility of  error  in  the  plant  we  have  grown  for  Massasoit. 


252  BULLETIN  NO.  28.  [December, 

The  yields  have  been  estimated  only,  since  it  has  seemed  impracti- 
cable to  secure  and  weigh  the  whole  crop,  except  in  a  few  cases.  The 
estimate  placed  on  quality  is  sometimes  made  up  from  fruit  that  was  not 
entirely  mature. 

There  are  in  all  cases  liabilities  to  error  in  the  variety,  both  here 
and  in  the  nursery,  but  great  care  has  been  exercised,  both  in  buying 
from  such  houses  only  as  are  of  known  reliability  and  in  keeping  rec- 
ords here. 

DESCRIPTIONS  OF  VARIETIES. 

In  the  following  descriptions  the  varieties  have  been  arranged  in 
alphabetical  order;  first,  the  black  varieties,  then  the  red,  and  next  the 
white.  After  these  is  given  a  list  of  varieties  that  have  so  far  been 
complete  failures  here. 

There  are  growing  in  the  vineyard  32  other  varieties  that  have  not 
been  planted  long  enough  to  get  results  from  them. 

BLACK  VARIETIES. 

AMINIA. — Vine,  a  vigorous,  open  grower;  shoot,  2  to  5  ft.,  short-jointed;  leaf, 
healthy,  thick,  dark  green;  wood,  well  ripened.  Bunch,  medium  size,  tapering  from 
base  to  apex;  apt  to  be  irregular,  and  not  well  filled.  Berry,  black,  with  a  heavy 
blue  bloom,  large  to  very  large,  round,  full  of  juice,  rich,  vinous,  and  of  excellent 
quality;  skin,  thick,  moderately  tough;  pulp,  tender.  Season  is  about  the  same  as 
Concord.  It  keeps  fairly  well.  The  yield  has  been  about  8  to  10  Ib.  each  year  for 
the  past  two  years.  The  bunches  are  too  irregular  for  a  market  grape,  but  the  variety 
would  be  a  good  one  for  the  amateur  on  account  of  quality. 

AUGUST  GIANT. — The  plant  this  year  has  made  a  weak  growth.  It  had  previously 
been  a  very  fair  grower.  The  foliage  has  not  been  healthy.  Shoot,  4  to  18  in.,  short- 
jointed.  Bunch,  very  small,  loose,  not  shouldered.  Berry,  small  to  almost  large, 
often  imperfect  or  immature,  round,  black  with  a  blue  bloom,  of  moderate  quality, 
very  foxy;  pulp,  tough.  Season  is  3  to  4  days  later  than  Moore's  early.  The  yield 
this  season  was  about  ij£  Ib.  The  previous  year  it  was  about  6  Ib.  This,  as  grown 
here,  has  not  seemed  to  be  of  any  value. 

BACCHUS. — Vine,  a  very  rank,  dense,  grower;  shoot,  4  to  10  ft.,  slender,  short- 
jointed;  the  newer  wood,  heavily  downy;  leaf,  small  to  medium  in  size,  considerably 
spotted  with  disease.  Bunch,  small,  compact,  cylindrical,  frequently  shouldered, 
regular  in  shape.  Berry,  small,  round,  black  with  a  thin  bloom,  full  of  juice,  acid, 
rich,  of  high  quality,  appetizing;  skin,  tender;  pulp,  tough.  Yield  fairly  good — about 
7  Ib.  this  season,  and  the  same  last.  Said  to  be  good  for  wine,  and  to  many  tastes  is 
good  for  the  table.  Season  is  4  days  to  a  week  after  Concord.  It  would  not  be 
recommended  for  general  cultivation. 

BARRY. — Vine,  a  strong,  vigorous,  moderately  dense  grower;  shoot,  2  to  5  ft.i 
strong,  short-jointed,  stocky;  leaf,  dark  green,  thick,  healthy;  the  lobes  overlapping 
each  other.  Bunch,  short,  thick,  sometimes  shouldered,  tapering  abruptly  and  irregu- 
larly from  the  broad  base  to  the  tip,  seldom  perfectly  filled.  Berry,  very  large,  round, 
almost  black,  with  a  heavy  blue  bloom,  very  juicy,  sweet,  and  very  rich  to  the  taste; 
skin,  thick,  rather  tough;  pulp,  tough.  It  can  be  kept  until  December  without  much 
difficulty.  Has  been  a  somewhat  shy  bearer.  The  crop  for  the  past  two  years  has 
been  about  7  Ib.  each  year.  Would  be  recommended  on  account  of  keeping,  and  ex- 
cellent quality.  Like  others  of  the  Rodgers'  hybrids,  its  reputation  in  other  places  is 
n  ot  uniformly  good  for  health  and  vigor  of  vine. 


[893-]  TEST    OF     VARIETIES    OF     GRAPES.  253 

CAMBRIDGE. — The  vine,  until  the  past  season,  was  considered  a  vigorous  grower, 
but  this  year  the  growth  has  been  poor;  shoot,  i  to  3  ft.;  leaves  have  died 
and  fallen  off  so  that  the  fruit  did  not  ripen  well.  Bunch,  small  to  medium;  not  so 
large  as  last  season,  not  well  filled,  seldom  shouldered,  tapering  from  base  toward 
the  apex.  Berry,  about  medium  size,  variable,  often  imperfect,  round,  black  with  a 
thick  bloom,  full  of  juice;  skin  tender;  pulp,  rather  tough,  hard  to  separate  from  the 
seeds;  similar  in  quality  to  Concord.  The  fruit  ripened  this  year  about  10  days  after 
Concord;  last  year  its  season  was  about  the  same  as  Concord,  but  it  ripens  unevenly. 
Yield,  about  8  Ib.  There  seems  no  reason  to  recommend  it  for  general  planting, 
since  the  Concord,  which  it  resembles,  is  better. 

CHAMPION. — Vine,  a  very  rank  grower;  shoot,  2  to  12  ft.;  joint,  of  medium  length; 
foliage,  healthy;  bunch,  small  to  medium  in  size.  It  has  seemed  to  be  inferior  in  qual- 
ity and  has  been  a  very  shy  bearer.  The  season  is  nearly  the  same  as  for  Moore's 
early.  It  could  not  be  recommended. 

CONCORD. — Vine,  a  very  vigorous  grower,  healthy,  rather  inclined  to  make  too 
much  wood  where  it  is  kept  well  cultivated  or  where  pruned  too  close.  Bunch,  large, 
cylindrical,  usually  shouldered,  moderately  compact.  Berry,  large  round,  black  with  a 
heavy  bloom,  of  uniform  size  when  well  ripened;  sub-acid,  rather  rich,  and  with  but 
little  foxiness  when  well  grown  and  ripened.  Skin,  very  tender;  pulp,  tender,  meaty. 
The  berry  drops  too  easily  from  the  bunch  and  the  grapes  can  be  kept  for  a  short  time 
only  after  picking.  This  is  still  the  standard  grape  and  when  a  person  cares  to  plant 
a  single  variety  only,  it  would  be  recommended  above  all  others.  Even  for  one  who 
wishes  to  plant  several  varieties,  the  Concord  would  take  the  leading  place.  The  vines 
are  comparatively  free  from  disease,  though  the  fruit  is  more  liable  to  disease  in  this 
than  in  some  other  varieties.  It  seems  our  most  regular  and  most  prolific  bearer. 

CONQUEROR. — Vine,  an  excessively  rank  and  dense  grower;  shoot,  4  to  zoft.;  short- 
jointed.  Parts  of  the  leaves  show  considerable  disease,  but  this  did  not  come  in  time 
to  injure  the  fruit.  Bunch,  medium  size,  cylindrical,  sometimes  shouldered,  not  well 
filled,  straggling.  Berry,  medium  size,  oval,  black,  with  a  very  thin  blue  bloom; 
juicy,  of  only  moderate  quality.  Skin,  tough;  pulp,  slightly  acid.  Has  not  proved  a 
good  bearer.  The  yield  this  season  was  about  3  Ib.,  last  season  a  trifle  more.  It 
colors  some  time  before  it  is  fully  ripe.  Season,  four  days  to  a  week  later  than  Con- 
cord. Not  recommended. 

COTTAGE. — Plant  a  vigorous  grower,  rather  open,  with  thick,  leathery  leaves; 
foliage  usually  very  free  from  disease,  though  the  same  vine  last  season  dropped  nearly 
all  of  its  leaves.  Shoot,  2  to  5  ft;  bunch,  small,  usually  fairly  compact,  seldom  shoul- 
dered, oblong.  Berry,  large,  to  very  large,  black,  with  a  blue  bloom,  somewhat  foxy, 
rank  or  harsh  taste.  Skin,  thick  and  tough;  pulp,  tough.  Not  so  good  as  Concord. 
It  is  a  regular  but  not  an  abundant  bearer.  The  crop  for  the  past  three  years  has  been 
about  4  to  6  Ib.  Concords  of  the  same  age  and  with  the  same  treatment  yield  at  least 
twice  as  much  fruit.  The  season  is  about  one  week  earlier  than  Concord,  and  that, 
with  its  carrying  quality,  makes  it  desirable  in  many  places  for  a  distant  market  crop. 

CYNTHIANA. — Vine,  a  very  rank,  dense  grower,  and  very  free  from  disease.  Shoot, 
from  4  to  12  ft.,  smooth,  short-jointed;  leaf,  large,  pale  green,  the  newer  leaves  yel- 
lowish. It  continues  to  grow  later  in  the  fall  than  most  other  varieties,  but  the  wood  is 
sufficiently  matured  to  prevent  injury  from  cold.  Bunch,  small,  oblong,  usually  com- 
pact and  regular  with  a  very  long  stem.  Berry,  very  small,  black,  with  a  thin  blue 
bloom,  round,  seedy,  of  high  quality.  It  is  of  little  value  except  as  a  wine  grape 
and  under  our  treatment  it  has  been  too  shy  a  bearer  to  be  of  much  value  for  that. 
The  yield  for  the  past  season  was  not  more  than  one-half  a  pound  and  the  year  before 
about  2  Ib.  It  may  become  more  productive  with  age. 

EARLY  MARKET. — Vine,  a  very  vigorous  grower;  shoot,  3  to  6  ft.;  strong,  well 
ripened,  makes  too  much  wood;  leaf,  shows  some  downy  mildew;  bunch,  small,  cylin- 
drical, slightly  shouldered,  compact.  Berry,  small,  round,  black  with  a  very  thin 


254  BULLETIN   NO.  28.  [December, 

bloom,  juicy  skin  and  pulp  tender.  The  quality  is  only  fair  and  the  appearance  is  de- 
cidedly poor.  Its  season  is  two  or  three  days  earlier  than  Moore's  early.  The  yield 
this  season  was  about  5  Ib.  The  vine  is  scarcely  old  enough  to  have  reached  full 
bearing.  It  has  not  so  far  seemed  worthy  of  recommendation. 

EARLY  VICTOR. — Has  usually  made  a  very  fair  growth.  This  year  it  has  been  very 
weak  and  the  foliage  not  healthy.  Shoot,  i  to  2  ft.;  bunch,  small,  seldom  shouldered, 
short,  oblong,  compact.  Berry,  round,  except  where  crowded,  varies  greatly  in  size 
from  very  small  to  medium,  black  with  a  blue  bloom,  very  foxy,  not  juicy.  Pulp, 
tough.  About  4  to  5  days  later  than  the  Moore's  early.  The  yield  the  past  season 
was  about  2^  Ib.  The  two  preceding  years  it  has  been  about  5  to  7  Ib.  It  does  not 
have  enough  value  as  grown  here  to  be  recommended. 

EATON. — A  good  grower,  open;  shoot,  2  to  5  ft.,  stocky,  well  ripened;  leaf,  large, 
dark  green,  mostly  healthy.  Bunch,  small  to  almost  large,  tapering  regularly,  very 
poorly  filled.  Berry,  very  large,  round,  black  with  thin  bloom,  juicy,  acid  with  a 
flavor  that  is  scarcely  agreeable;  skin,  moderately  tender;  pulp,  tender.  Season  one 
week  after  Concord.  It  seems  to  be  a  shy  bearer.  The  yield  for  the  past  two  seasons 
has  not  been  more  than  ij!^  Ib.  Not  worthy  of  recommendation. 

EUMELAN. — Plant,  a  moderate  grower,  sturdy,  healthy;  shoot,  2  to  4  ft.,  short- 
jointed;  leaf,  healthy.  Bunch,  long,  usually  slender,  fairly  compact.  Berry,  me- 
dium size,  black,  round,  with  a  heavy  bloom,  rich,  of  high  quality;  skin  and  flesh 
tender,  rather  dry;  seed,  large.  The  yield  the  past  season  was  about  4^  Ib.  The 
previous  season  it  was  about  8.  While  only  fairly  productive,  it  should  be  recom- 
mended for  general  planting  for  home  use  on  account  of  its  good  quality. 

ESSEX. — Until  the  last  year  the  vine  has  been  a  good,  strong  grower,  some- 
what open.  The  past  season  the  growth  was  weak  and  not  healthy.  Shoot,  from  i  to 
3  ft.,  short-jointed  ;  leaf,  pale  green,  or  yellowish.  Many  leaves  dropped  prematurely 
so  that  the  fruit  did  not  ripen  perfectly.  Bunch,  very  small,  compact,  not  more 
than  a  dozen  berries.  Berry,  very  large,  round,  dark  red  or  almost  black,  thin  bloom 
and  inconspicuous  dots,  full  of  juice,  acid,  not  rich,  of  low  quality,  somewhat  astrin- 
gent; skin,  thick,  rather  tough;  pulp,  tough.  Not  recommended  for  anyone.  Season 
10  days  later  than  Concord.  Yield  this  year  about  one  Ib.,  and  nearly  the  same  or 
slightly  more  last  year.  Berry  is  of  fine  appearance,  but  there  is  nothing  else  to 
recommend  the  variety. 

GAERTNER. — Vine,  a  strong  grower,  rather  compact ;  shoot  3  to  5  ft.,  rather  slen- 
der, long-jointed  ;  wood,  well  ripened  ;  leaf,  large,  very  dark  green,  almost  perfect  in 
health.  Bunch  and  berry  very  much  like  the  Concord  or  Worden.  Season  with  Con- 
cord. Yield  about  the  same  or  possibly  less.  It  would  be  hard  for  any  one  not  an 
expert  to  distinguish  between  them.  The  resemblance  is  so  close  that  it  has  seemed 
probable  that  a  mistake  was  made.  There  is  none  of  the  character  in  this  variety  that 
is  found  in  the  other  of  Roger's  hybrids,  and  which  seems  to  distinguish  them  readily 
from  most  other  grapes. 

HARTFORD. — Vine,  a 'vigorous  grower;  shoot,  i  to  3  ft.  long,  short-jointed,  vine 
and  foliage,  almost  perfect  in  health  ;  shoots  and  leaves,  very  downy.  Bunch,  small 
to  medium  size,  seldom  shouldered,  not  compact.  Berry,  large,  round,  black  with  a 
heavy  blue  bloom,  moderately  juicy,  sweetish,  rich  in  quality,  foxy,  somewhat  rank  ; 
skin  and  pulp,  tough  ;  seeds,  hard  to  separate  from  the  pulp.  It  has  been  a  fair 
bearer.  The  yield  the  past  season  was  about  7  Ib.  and  the  previous  year  about  10  Ib. 
It  ripens  only  a  little  later  than  Moore's  early.  It  is  not  so  desirable,  however,  as 
Moore's.  , 

IRON  CLAD. — The  vine  is  an  exceedingly  rank  and  dense  grower  ;  shoot,  from  5  to 
20  ft.,  slender,  long-jointed  ;  leaf,  small,  dark  green,  smooth  ;  both  vine  and  leaf  very 
free  from  disease.  The  vine  would  evidently  do  better  with  more  room  than  has  been 
allowed  it,  since,  with  its  past  treatment,  it  makes  a  great  excess  of  wood.  Bunch, 
small,  oblong  or  cylindrical,  compact,  shouldered,  irregular.  Berry,  small  to  medium 


1893-]  TEST    OF    VARIETIES    OF    GRAl'ES. 

size,  oblate,  black  with  heavy,  blue  bloom,  moderately  juicy,  slightly  acid,  but  very 
rich,  of  high  quality,  but  probably  too  sharp  for  most  tastes  ;  skin,  tender  and  thin  ; 
pulp,  separates  from  the  seeds  with  difficulty.  It  resembles  the  Clinton  in  many 
respects  and  would  be  a  good  wine  grape.  Season  about  same  as,  or  a  little  later  than, 
Concord.  The  yield  this  season  was  about  3  lb.;  last  year  it  was  nearly  8. 

ISABELLA. — Vine,  a  rank  grower,  rather  dense,  shoot,  4  to  7  ft.,  downy,  short- 
jointed  ;  leaf,  dark  green,  large,  healthy  ;  a  fine  looking  vine  with  well  ripened  wood. 
Bunch,  medium  to  large,  long,  tapering,  rather  loose,  seldom  shouldered.  Berry, 
large,  oval,  black  with  heavy  blue  bloom,  juicy,  slightly  acid,  rich,  of  high  qu-ality  ; 
hangs  well  on  the  bunch  ;  skin,  thick  and  tough  ;  pulp,  tender,  meaty.  The  season  is 
about  one  week  later  than  Concord  ;  but  it  can  be  kept  for  several  weeks  after  being 
picked,  if  put  in  a  proper  place.  It  has  not  been  planted  long  enough  to  reach  full 
bearing.  The  yield  the  past  season  was  about  6  lb.  This  variety  is  one  of  those  that 
color  some  time  before  they  are  ripe,  and  should  be  left  on  the  vine  for  a  week  or  two 
after  being  fully  colored.  It  is  one  of  the  old  varieties  but  has  not  been  successful 
over  a  large  part  of  the  country,  yet  seems  very  promising  here. 

IVES  SEEDLING. — The  vine  is  a  rather  rank  grower  and  is  generally  very  free  from 
disease.  Shoot,  long-jointed  and  downy;  leaf,  downy,  light  green,  and  deeply  lobed. 
Bunch,  above  the  medium  size,  compact,  but -little  shouldered,  or  the  shoulder  con- 
sisting of  a  few  (i  to  4)  berries  on  a  rather  long  stem.  Berry,  large,  with  a  blue  bloom, 
oval,  of  medium  size,  juicy,  sweet  and  free  from  the  foxy  flavor;  skin  and  pulp  tough, 
foxy  and  rank.  It  begins  to  ripen  about  a  week  before  Concord  and  will  hang  on  the 
vines  until  the  berries  dry  up,  improving  in  quality  until  they  begin  to  shrivel.  It 
stands  transportation  well  and  is  very  productive.  Would  not  recommend  it  for 
home  use. 

JEWEL. — The  vine  made  a  fair  growth  in  previous  years,  but  the  past  year  (1893) 
has  seemed  nearly  dead;  shoot,  6  to  18  in.;  leaf,  yellowish  and  sickly  in  appearance. 
Berry,  medium  size,  round,  black  with  a  blue  bloom,  juicy,  sweet,  rich  with  little  or 
no  foxiness;  skin  and  pulp  tough.  This  is  one  of  the  best  varieties  in  quality,  but  it 
has  not  borne  enough  so  far  to  make  it  seem  worthy  of  recommendation. 

HUBER'S  No.  12. — Vine,  a  very  strong  grower,  not  dense;  shoot,  well  ripened, 
downy,  slender,  joint  of  medium  length,  drooping;  leaf,  large,  but  little  lobed,  dark 
green;  a  very  healthy  promising  vine.  Bunch,  medium  size,  compact,  not  apt  to  be 
shouldered,  oblong.  Berry,  round,  black  with  a  heavy  blue  bloom,  varies  from  small 
to  very  large,  full  of  juice,  moderately  sweet,  very  rich,  drops  from  the  bunch  in  a  short 
time  after  picking;  skin,  rather  tender;  pulp,  tender.  Seems  to  be  a  moderate  bearer. 
The  yield  this  year  was  about  3^  lb.  Last  year  it  was  some  more  than  4  lb.  The 
season  is  about  one  week  later  than  Concord.  This  is  a  new  variety  not  yet  introduced 
and  has  not  been  planted  long  enough  to  come  fully  into  bearing. 

MARION. — Vine,  a  very  rank,  dense  grower;  shoot,  4  to  12  ft.,  rather  slender,  dark 
brown,  ripe  almost  to  the  tips;  leaf,  large,  dark  green,  healthy,  except  for  thephyloxera. 
Bunch,  medium  to  almost  large,  shouldered,  tapering  slightly  from  base  to  apex,  com- 
pact, regular.  Berry,  medium  to  almost  large  in  size,  oblate,  black  with  blue  bloom, 
moderately  juicy,  acid,  very  high  in  quality,  a  little  too  sharp  for  most  tastes;  skin, 
thin  and  tender;  pulp,  tough,  hard  to  separate  from  seeds.  Season  only  three  or  four 
days  after  Concord.  It  yields  well.  The  crop  for  the  past  two  seasons  has  been  about 
10  lb.  each  year.  The  birds  seem  to  take  this  more  than  any  other  variety  in  the 
vineyard. 

MILLS. — The  plant  at  first  made  a  very  strong,  healthy  growth  and  seemed  prom- 
ising, but  the  past  two  seasons  it  has  grown  almost  none  and  appears  to  be  half  dead. 
The  bunch  is  large,  heavily  shouldered,  cylindrical;  with  many  imperfectly  developed 
berries,  giving  it  a  very  straggling  appearance.  Berry,  medium  size,  very  high  in  qual- 
ity; skin,  very  thick  and  leathery;  pulp,  large  and  tough.  Its  season  is  a  little  later 


256  BULLETIN   NO.   28.  [December, 

than  Concord.     The  fruit  keeps  well,  but  with  us  it  has  developed  no  other  quality  to 
recommend  it. 

MONTEFIORE. — Vine,  a  vigorous  grower,  not  dense;  shoot,  3  to  8  ft.;  leaf,  large, 
dark  green,  deeply  lobed  and  toothed,  free  from  disease.  Bunch,  medium  size,  rather 
long,  cylindrical,  fairly  regular,  compact,  shouldered.  Berry,  medium  to  large, 
ovate,  black  with  a  heavy  blue  bloom,  moderately  juicy,  moderately  sweet,  rich,  one 
of  the  best  in  quality;  skin  and  pulp  tough.  The  yield  the  past  three  seasons  has  been 
about  6  to  9  Ib.  It  ripens  soon  after  Moore's  early  and  will  keep  and  hang  on  the 
vines  until  the  berries  dry  up,  and  continues  to  improve  in  quality  until  after  the  ber- 
ries are  considerably  shriveled.  The  fruit  has  seemed  less  liable  to  disease  than  that 
of  many  other  varieties.  It  would  be  recommended  for  those  who  like  high  quality. 
MOORE'S  EARLY. — Vine,  a  moderate  and  rather  open  grower;  shoot,  2  to  4  ft.; 
joint,  medium  length.  Bunch,  medium  size,  shouldered  in  the  best  specimens,  not 
very  compact.  Berry,  large,  round,  black  with  a  blue  bloom,  moderately  juicy,  of 
very  good  quality  when  well  ripened;  skin,  thin,  tender;  pulp,  tender.  Ordinarily  the 
plants  are  healthy;  but  this  season  nearly  all  of  them  were  injured  by  some  disease, 
the  nature  of  which  is  not  known.  The  leaves  began  dying  at  the  edges  by  the  middle 
of  the  summer  and  by  the  time  the  fruit  should  have  ripened  some  of  the  plants  were 
completely  stripped  of  their  leaves.  The  same  disease  seems  also  to  attack  the  young 
shoots;  for  when  the  vines  were  pruned  it  was  found  that  the  shoots  were  dead  back 
nearly,  or  in  many  cases  quite,  to  the  old  wood.  It  is  a  question  how  serious  the  injury 
to  the  vines  will  prove,  or  how  long  it  may  last.  The  Moore's  early  is  generally  con- 
ceded to  be  the  best  early  black  grape. 

NEW  HAVEN. — The  Vine,  until  the  past  season,  has  been  a  very  fair  grower  and 
healthy.  The  past  season  the  growth  has  been  weak  and  unhealthy  in  appearance  ; 
shoot,  8  in.  to  2  ft.  The  leaves  have  died  and  fallen  badly.  Bunch,  very  small, 
seldom  shouldered,  loose.  Berry,  small  to  medium,  black  with  blue  bloom,  round, 
rather  dry,  slightly  astringent  in  after  taste  ;  skin,  tender  ;  pulp,  tough.  This  year  it 
was  not  so  good  in  quality  as  it  had  been  in  former  years,  though  it  has  never  stood 
high.  Season  is  only  a  little  later  than  Moore's  early.  The  yield  the  past  season  was 
about  2^  Ib.  The  variety  does  not  seem  worthy  of  recommendation  here. 

NORTON'S  VIRGINIA. — Vine,  an  exceedingly  rank  grower  ;  shoot,  5  to  15  ft.,  short- 
jointed  ;  the  newer  part  with  a  thin  bloom  ;  leaf,  thick,  pale  green,  badly  infested 
with  the  powdery  mildew.  Bunch,  medium  size,  compact,  cylindrical  with  a  shoul- 
der sometimes  broader  at  the  base.  Berry,  small,  or  very  small,  black  with  a  heavy 
blue  bloom  that  gives  the  fruit  a  bluish  appearance,  moderately  juicy,  acid,  moder- 
ately rich  ;  skin  and  pulp,  tender.  This  variety  has  a  high  reputation  as  a  wine  grape 
and  it  is  of  little  value  for  any  other  purpose.  Its  season  is  from  3  days  to  a  week 
later  than  Concord.  It  has  proved  a  very  shy  bearer  so  far  under  our  treatment, 
though  it  may  improve  with  age.  It  would  also  be  likely  to  do  better  if  allowed  more 
room.  The  yield  the  past  season  was  about  3  Ib.  on  a  vine  that  was  as  large  as  Con- 
cords that  produce  20  Ib. 

NORWOOD. — The  vine  is  a  fairly  vigorous  grower  without  making  an  excess  of 
wood  ;  shoot,  i  to  3  ft.  The  leaf  and  vine  have  been  very  free  from  disease.  Bunch, 
when  well  filled  very  large  and  fairly  compact,  but  a  very  small  proportion  only  reach 
perfection.  Most  of  them  are  very  small  and  loose.  The  perfect  bunches  are  heavily 
shouldered  and  taper  from  the  shoulder  almost  to  a  point.  Berry,  very  large,  round, 
almost  black  with  a  heavy  blue  bloom,  rather  acid,  not  rich  with  a  musky  taste  and 
smell ;  skin.,  tough  and  thick  ;  pulp,  large  and  tough.  The  fruit  ought  to  ship  well, 
and,  where  good  bunches  can  be  had,  sell  well.  It  is  not  equal  to  the  others  of 
Roger's  hybrids  or  to  the  Concord  in  quality.  Its  season  is  from  one  to  two  weeks 
later  than  Concord.  It  has  borne  a  fair  quantity  of  fruit,  yield  the  past  season 
being  about  6  Ib.  The  variety  is  scarcely  to  be  recommended  for  the  general  planter. 
ORIENTAL. — Vine  has  made  a  very  moderate,  though  healthy  growth  ;  shoot,  i  to 


1893-]  TEST    OF     VARIETIES    OF    GRAPES.  257 

3  ft.,  stocky,  short-jointed.  The  growth  the  past  season  was  only  about  half  as  much 
as  it  had  been  the  year  before.  Leaf,  dark  green,  mainly  healthy,  but  showing  some 
traces  of  the  downy  mildew.  Bunch,  medium  size,  oblong,  seldom  shouldered,  some- 
what irregular.  Berry,  large,  oval,  dark  red,  almost  black  with  a  thin  bloom,  juicy, 
sweet,  very  rich,  and  of  high  quality;  skin,  rather  tender  ;  pulp,  tough.  Though  it  has 
not  been  tried  for  keeping,  it  has  the  appearance  of  a  grape  that  would  keep  well.  Its 
season  is  about  3  to  4  days  later  than  Moore's  early,  and  it  yields  better  than  that  well 
known  variety.  The  past  two  seasons  the  yield  has  been  about  7  to  8  Ib.  It  would 
not  be  a  good  market  grape  on  account  of  the  irregular  appearance  of  the  bunches. 
It  is  similar  in  many  respects  to  Montefiore. 

POSTOAK  GRAPE. — ( Vitit  li ncecumii. )  Vine,  a  rank,  open  grower,  short-jointed, 
strong,  and  stocky  with  a  bloom  on  the  bark  of  the  new  wood;  leaf,  large,  thick  and 
coarse,  bright  green.  This  comes  as  near  being  a  perfect  type  of  health  as  any  vari- 
ety in  the  vineyard.  Shoot,  4  to  10  ft.  Bunch,  above  the  medium  size,  strongly 
shouldered,  cylindrical,  compact.  Berry,  medium  size,  oblate,  black  with  a  heavy 
blue  bloom  and  conspicuous  dots,  meaty,  with  an  agreeable  appetizing  flavor,  quality, 
high;  skin,  tender;  pulp,  moderately  tender.  Seems  to  be  only  a  very  moderate  bearer, 
but  will  probably  do  better  as  the  vine  grows  older.  It  is  similar  in  some  respects  to 
Norton's  Virginia  or  Cynthiana,  but  seems  decidedly  superior  to  either  in  quality, 
yield  and  size,  and  would  probably  make  as  good  a  wine  grape.  It  would  seem  to  have 
very  decided  value  for  purposes  of  improvement;  either  by  crossing  with  other  varie- 
ties or  by  growing  seedlings.  In  season  it  is  about  one  week  later  than  Concord. 
This  is  not  a  recognized  variety,  but  was  sent  here  simply  as  a  representative  of  the 
species.  The  name  Postoak  is  the  common  name  of  the  species. 

VICTORIA. — Vine,  a  very  fair  grower,  open;  shoot,  2  to  4  ft.,  stocky;  leaf,  dark 
green,  but  little  affected  by  disease.  Bunch,  very  small,  short  and  thick,  not  more  than 
10  to  12  berries  in  the  best  ones.  Berry,  large,  round,  dark  purple,  scarcely  black 
with  a  thin  bloom,  full  of  juice,  mild  acid  without  decided  character,  poor  in  quality; 
skin,  tender;  pulp,  tender,  but  stringy.  The  yield  was  about  X  Ib-  this  year',  and 
nearly  yz  last.  Season  about  one  week  later  than  Concord.  So  far  there  seems  no 
reason  for  recommending  it  here. 

J.  A.  WARDER. — Vine,  a  strong,  moderately  dense  grower;  shoot,  3  to  6  ft.,  rather 
slender  with  but  few  tenderils;  leaf,  large,  dark  green,  healthy;  very  similar  to  Con- 
cord. This  is  a  new  variety,  originated  by  Mr.  Huber,  of  Illinois  City,  111.,  and  is  not 
yet  introduced.  It  seems  very  sintilar  in  every  way  to  the  Concord,  fruit  as  well  as 
vine.  It  is  two  or  three  days  earlier,  the  berries  a  trifle  more  juicy  and  scarcely  so 
good  in  quality  as  the  Concord.  The  berries  drop  badly  from  the  bunch  when  picked. 

WHITE  HALL. — The  plant,  until  the  past  year,  has  been  a  fair  grower  and  com- 
paratively healthy.  The  past  season  it  was  very  weak;  shoot,  only  6  to  18  in.;  leaf, 
yellowish,  not  healthy.  Bunch,  small,  loose,  commonly  shouldered.  Berry, 
below  medium  size,  round,  or  inclined  to  oval,  black  with  a  thin  bloom,  not  juicy;  pulp, 
moderately  tender.  No  note  was  made  as  to  quality  before  the  present  year.  Fruit 
sour,  poor  in  quality,  not  pleasant  to  the  taste.  Its  season  is  nearly  the  same  as 
Moore's  early.  It  has  been  a  shy  bearer.  From  present  indications  it  is  not  worthy 
of  recommendation. 

WILDER. — Vine,  a  fair  grower;  shoot,  2  to  3  ft.,  slender,  joint,  medium;  leaf, 
medium  size,  deeply  lobed,  dark  green,  considerably  diseased.  Bunch,  medium  to 
large,  sometimes  shouldered,  tapering  from  base  to  point.  Berry,  medium  to  large, 
black,  round.  It  has  been  a  shy  bearer  so  far,  though  the  vine  is  not  yet  old  enough 
to  show  its  character  in  this  respect.  The  yield  this  season  was  but  about  i  Ib. 

RED  VARIETIES. 

AGAWAM. — The  vine  has  been  a  moderate  grower,  rather  open,  and  comparatively 
free  from  disease  until  the  past  year  when  it  has  made  a  weak  growth  and  the  whole 


258  BULLETIN   xo.   28.  [December, 

vine  has  looked  unthrifty.  Bunch,  small  to  medium  size,  usually  shouldered  where 
well  grown,  fairly  well  filled.  Berry,  medium  size,  purplish  red  with  bluish  bloom, 
round,  very  juicy,  slightly  acid,  rich  and  very  pleasant  in  flavor;  skin,  thin  and  tender; 
pulp,  tender.  Until  the  past  year  this  has  seemed  an  exceedingly  promising  variety, 
an  abundant  bearer  and  of  excellent  quality.  It  would  still  be  recommended  for  trial 
to  those  who  care  for  more  variety.  The  yield  the  past  season  was  about  4  lb.,  and 
the  previous  year  about  8  lb.  It  is  only  a  little  later  than  Concord. 

ALBERT. — Vine,  a  rank  grower,  not  dense  ;  shoot  5  to  7  ft.,  stocky,  well  ripened  ; 
joint,  medium  length  ;  leaf,  large,  rounded  in  outline,  almost  free  from  disease. 
Bunch,  small,  rounded,  compact,  only  12  to  20  berries  in  the  best  ones.  Berry,  very 
large,  round,  red  with  a  bluish  bloom,  moderately  juicy;  sweet,  spicy,  vinous,  very  rich, 
taking  almost  the  richness  of  preserves  as  it  becomes  over  ripe  ;  skin,  thin  and  ten- 
der ;  pulp,  a  little  tough,  but  separates  easily  from  the  seeds.  It  ought  to  be  a  good 
keeper,  but  has  not  been  tried.  Its  season  is  about  the  same  as  Concord.  It  has  not 
been  planted  long  enough  to  come  into  full  bearing.  The  yield  this  season  was  about 
3  lb.  This  is  one  of  Mr.  Huber's  seedlings  that  has  not  yet  been  disseminated.  It 
would  seem  to  be  desirable,  at  least  for  the  amateur. 

AMBER  QUEEN. — Vine,  a  strong,  sturdy,  rather  open  grower  ;  shoot  2  to  5  ft., 
stiff,  short-jointed,  leaf,  thick,  leathery,  and  comparatively  healthy.  Bunch, 
medium  size  to  almost  large,  loose  or  open,  tapering  from  base  to  tip,  not  very  regular. 
Berry,  large,  to  very  large,  round,  light  red  with  a  thin  bloom  and  conspicuous  dots, 
full  of  juice,  rather  tart,  rich,  of  high  quality  ;  skin,  rather  tough,  pulp,  tender,  sep- 
arates easily  from  the  seeds.  A  fairly  prolific  bearer.  Yield  for  the  past  three 
seasons  has  been  about  8  to  10  lb.  each  year.  Its  season  is  a  week  to  10  days  later 
than  Concord.  It  is  a  promising  variety  so  far  as  tried. 

BEAGLE. — Vine,  a  very  rank,  dense  grower;  shoot,  3  to  10  ft.;  wood,  well  ripened; 
leaf,  small  to  medium,  healthy.  Bunch,  small  to  medium,  slightly  shouldered.  Berry, 
small  to  medium,  red  with  a  light  bloom,  round,  very  good  in  quality  ;  skin  and  pulp, 
tender.  This  has  so  far  seemed  to  be  shy  bearer.  The  crop  this  season  was  about 
i  lb.  It  will  probably  do  better  as  the  vine  grows  older.  Season  about  one  week 
before  Concord. 

BEAUTY. — Uutil  the  past  year  the  vine  has  been  a  very  good  grower,  comparatively 
free  from  disease,  and  was  counted  as  one  of  the  most  promising  of  the  red  grapes. 
This  season  the  vine  has  been  nearly  dead,  the  shoots  making  only  6  to  12  in.  of 
growth.  The  leaves  began  to  die  early  and  before' time  for  the  fruit  to  ripen  the  plant 
was  nearly  naked.  Bunch,  medium  size,  shouldered,  compact.  Berry,  medium  size 
to  almost  large,  light  red  with  thin  bloom,  very  juicy,  mild,  very  pleasant,  not  rich, 
without  decided  character  ;  skin,  very  tender;  pulp,  tender,  separates  very  easily 
from  the  seed.  This  grape  keeps  very  well.  The  fruit  remained  in  good  condition 
last  year  until  the  holidays.  Season  a  little  later  than  Concord. 

BRIGHTON. — Vine,  a  rank  grower,  not  dense;  shoot,  3  to  8  ft. ;  joint, medium;  leaf, 
good  size,  very  dark,  apt  to  become  more  or  less  diseased  in  the  latter  part  of  the  season 
and  drop  off,  though  this  has  not  so  far  seemed  to  affect  the  fruit.  Bunch,  very  large 
varying  from  compact  to  loose,  broad  at  the  base,  tapering  irregularly  to  the  tip,  can 
more  properly  be  called  branched  than  shouldered.  Bsrry,  above  the  medium  size, 
round,  purplish  red  when  fully  colored  with  a  blue  bloom,  mild,  sweet,  and  exceedingly 
pleasant  flavored  without  decided  character;  skin,  tender;  pulp,  very  tender,  slightly 
stringy,  very  juicy,  and  easily  separated  from  the  seed.  Its  season  is  about  ten  days 
later  than  Concord.  It  is  at  its  best  soon  after  it  begins  to  color  and  loses  its 
sprightly  taste  when  it  becomes  over  ripe.  Both  the  bunches  and  berries  ripen  some- 
what unevenly.  It  has  so  far  been  an  abundant  and  regular  bearer  the  crop  being 
about  10  to  12  lb.  each  year  for  the  past  three  years.  It  is  to  be  recommended  for 
the  amateur  or  the  nearby  markets  for  table  use.  Complaint  has  been  made  in  other 
places  that  it  is  liable  to  disease  and  lacks  hardiness. 


1893']  TEST    OF    VARIETIES    OF    GRAPES.  259 

BRILLIANT. — Vine,  a  good  grower,  not  dense;  shoot,  2  to  6  ft.,  stocky,  short-jointed, 
healthy,  well  ripened;  leaf,  rather  small,  comparatively  free  from  disease.  Bunch, 
small  to  medium,  irregular  in  shape,  usually  shouldered,  not  compact.  Berry,  medium 
to  large,  red  with  a  thick  blue  bloom  that  makes  it  almost  purple,  sweet,  rich,  vinous, 
one  of  the  best  in  quality;  skin,  tender;  pulp,  very  tender,  juicy,  separates  easily  from 
the  seeds.  The  crop  this  year  was  about  5  Ib.  This  is  a  new  variety  recently  intro- 
duced by  Mr.  Munson,  of  Denison,  Texas.  It  is  so  far  the  most  prolific  of  those  of 
his  grapes  that  we  have  tried,  and  is  one  of  the  best  of  grapes  in  quality.  Its  season 
is  a  little  earlier  than  the  Concord.  It  is  to  be  recommended,  at  least  for  the  amateur. 

CHALLENGE. — Vine,  an  exceedingly  rank  and  dense  grower;  shoot,  slender,  5  to 
15  ft.,  well  ripened;  leaf,  medium  size,  dark  green,  almost  perfect  in  health.  Bunch, 
small,  oblong  or  almost  cylindrical,  compact,  regular,  frequently  heavily  shouldered. 
Berry,  medium  size,  round,  light  reddish  purple  with  a  very  thin  bloom  and  incon- 
spicuous dots,  full  of  juice;  slightly  acid  with  little  richness;  quality  good,  not  high; 
skin,  thin,  tender;  pulp,  tough  and  hard  to  separate  from  the  seeds.  Season  a  few 
days  later  than  the  Concord.  The  yield  this  year  was  about  6  Ib.  Last  year  there 
were  only  a  few  bunches.  Too  rank  a  grower  for  the  space  allowed  it,  and  would 
likely  be  more  productive  if  given  more  room.  Not  recommended. 

DELAWARE. — Vine,  a  good  grower,  somewhat  dense;  shoot,  2  to  6  ft.,  very  short- 
jointed;  wood,  hard  and  close  grained,  well  ripened;  leaf,  small  usually  healthy, 
though  occasionally  dropping  from  the  vine  soon  after  the  middle  of  the  season  in 
which  case  the  fruit  does  not  ripen  properly,  but  remains  sour  and  colors  but  little  or 
not  at  all.  Bunch,  very  small  and  compact,  shouldered,  cylindrical.  Berry,  round, 
small,  pale  red  with  a  delicate  color,  almost  transparent  and  thin  white  bloom,  full  of 
juice,  sweet,  rich  with  a  vinous  spicy,  delicate,  flavor  that  is  exceedingly  agreeable  to 
most  tastes;  skin,  thin,  rather  tough;  pulp,  tender.  Plants  on  stakes  have  yielded 
about  4  Ib.,  and  those  on  trellis  from  8  to  12  Ib.  each  for  the  past  three  years.  The 
Delaware  has  not  proved  to  be  reliable  with  all  growers  or  in  all  localities.  Two  vines 
which  have  been  growing  for  about  20  years  in  another  vineyard,  less  than  one-fourth 
mile  away,  have  been  very  poor  growers  and  have  not  been  known  to  so  much  as  pro- 
duce one  pound  of  grapes  in  a  season.  Notwithstanding  its  want  of  reliability,  it 
should  have  a  place  in  every  vineyard  or  arbor  where  grapes  are  grown  for  home  use. 
Its  season  is  nearly  the  same  as  Concord,  but  it  will  keep  much  longer. 

DIANA. — Vine,  a  rather  rank  grower,  moderately  dense;  shoot,  3  to 8  feet.,  downy; 
wood,  well  ripened;  leaf,  large,  dark  green,  in  excellent  health.  Bunch,  medium  to 
large,  compact,  either  cylindrical  or  tapering.  Berry,  varying  from  small  to  almost 
large,  round,  pale  red  with  a  thin  bloom  and  brown  dots,  juicy,  sweet,  very  rich,  one 
of  the  best  in  quality;  skin,  thin  and  tender;  pulp,  tender.  Season  about  8  to  10  days 
after  Concord.  The  yield  this  season  was  about  4  Ib.  The  vine  is  not  old  enough  to 
have  reached  full  bearing.  It  is  to  be  recommended  for  quality,  at  least,  and  its  ap- 
pearance would  indicate  a  fair  keeper. 

DINKEL. — Vine  last  year  seemed  to  be  a  moderately  good  grower,  but  this  year 
it  is  weak;  shoot,  6  to  18  in.,  short-jointed  stiff  and  stocky;  foliage,  healthy.  Bunch, 
medium  to  large,  broad  at  the  base,  narrowing  gradually  to  the  point,  rather 
straggling.  Berry,  medium  size,  round,  light  red  with  a  light  bloom,  juicy,  slightly 
acid,  but  rich  and  very  pleasant;  skin,  rather  thick  and  tough,  with  a  slight  astringent 
taste;  pulp,  tender.  It  seems  to  be  a  shy  bearer,  but  may  improve  with  age.  Season 
7  to  10  days  after  Concord. 

DRACUT  AMBER.  —  Vine,  is  a  rank,  rather  dense  grower;  shoot,  4  to  10  ft.  The 
leaves  have  been  badly  diseased  the  past  season  and  before  the  fruit  was  ripe  half  of 
them  had  fallen  off.  No  indications  of  the  disease  had  been  shown  in  other  years. 
Bunch,  small,  oblong  or  cylindrical,  very  compact  when  perfect,  seldom  shouldered. 
Berry,  medium  size,  round,  red  in  fine  specks  on  greenish  white  with  a  thin  bloom, 
full  of  juice,  musky  or  foxy,  slightly  acid,  moderate  in  quality;  skin,  tender,  thin; 


260  BULLETIN  NO.  28.  [  December, 

pulp,  very  tender.  Yield  was  about  4  Ib.  for  last  year  and  i|£  for  this.  It  ripened  this 
year  about  two  weeks  after  Concord.  In  proper  health  it  should  ripen  nearly  with  the 
Concord.  It  does  not  seem  desirable  except  as  a  variety. 

GOETHE. — Vine,  a  moderate,  open  grower;  shoot,  2  to  4  ft. ;  wood,  not  well  ripened; 
leaf,  medium  size,  light  green,  considerably  infested  with  mildew,  to  which  it  seems 
specially  subject.  Bunch,  small  to  medium,  irregular,  not  well  filled,  tapering  from  the 
base  to  the  tip  with  many  imperfect  berries.  Berry,  medium  to  very  large,  oval,  pale 
red  with  a  thin  bloom,  full  of  juice,  a  mild,  pleasant  almost  acid  taste,  not  rich;  skin, 
thin  and  tender;  pulp,  very  tender  and  easily  separated  from  the  seeds.  It  keeps  very 
well  until  the  holidays.  Its  season  is  about  10  days  to  2  weeks  after  Concord.  It 
has  so  far  been  a  shy  bearer.  The  yields  for  the  past  three  years  have  been  about 
2  to-  4  Ib. 

HERBERT. — Vine,  a  very  strong,  rather  open  grower;  shoot,  2  to  6  ft.,  strong, 
light  brown,  short-jointed;  wood,  well  ripened;  leaf,  showing  some  traces  of  mildew, 
but  otherwise  healthy.  Bunch,  medium  size,  short  and  broad,  tapering  from  base  to 
the  tip,  scarcely  regular,  open,  not  shouldered.  Berry,  large  to  very  large,  round, 
black  with  a  thin  bloom,  moderately  juicy,  sweetish,  rich,  of  high  quality,  but  with  a 
slightly  acid  after  taste;  skin,  thick,  rather  tough;  pulp,  rather  tough.  The  yield  the 
past  season  was  about  5  Ib.  The  vine  is  scarcely  old  enough  to  be  in  full  bearing. 
Season  about  4  days  to  a  week  after  Concord. 

IONA. — The  vine  has  grown  well  until  the  past  year  when  it  was  very  weak;  shoot, 
9  to  18  in. ;  leaf,  yellow,  and  sickly,  but  apparently  free  from  fungus  diseases.  Bunch, 
medium  size,  not  well  filled,  tapering  from  the  base  to  the  tip.  Berry,  of  medium 
size,  oval,  light  red  with  bluish  bloom,  moderately  juicy,  sweet  with  a  rich  pleasant 
flavor,  one  of  the  best  in  quality;  skin,  thin  and  tender;  pulp,  tender.  Its  season  is 
about  7  to  10  days  later  than  Concord.  The  yield  this  season  was  about  2^  Ib.  It 
seems  so  far  to  be  too  shy  a  bearer  to  be  recommended. 

JEFFERSON. — Another  of  the  varieties  that  have  not  done  so  well  the  past  year, 
either  in  growth  or  fruit,  as  they  had  previously.  Bunch,  small,  imperfect.  Berry, 
medium  size,  round,  bright  red  with  a  thin  bloom,  juicy,  rich,  neither  sweet  nor  acid, 
very  agreeable,  best  in  quality;  skin,  tender;  pulp,  tender,  meaty.  The  yield  the  past 
season  was  about  i  Ib.  and  the  year  before  6  Ib.  This  variety  had  been  considered 
one  of  the  most  promising  of  the  red  grapes,  but  the  results  of  the  last  season  would 
not  justify  recommending  it. 

LINDLEY. — The  vine  is  a  strong  grower,  without  making  an  excess  of  wood,  healthy; 
wood,  well  ripened;  leaf,  comparatively  free  from  disease.  Bunch,  large,  shouldered 
when  perfect,  usually  not  well  filled,  tapering  from  the  base  to  the  apex.  Berry,  very 
large,  round,  red  with  thin  bluish  bloom,  full  of  juice,  slightly  musky,  sweet,  rich,  one 
of  the  best  in  quality;  skin,  tender,  pulp,  rather  tough,  but  small.  Its  use  would  be 
table  or  market.  It  would  sell  well  either  from  its  appearance  or  on  its  merits,  and 
would  bear  shipment  better  than  Concord  which  is  about  the  same  in  season.  It  has 
proved  so  far  to  be  a  prolific  bearer.  To  be  recommended  highly  for  home  use  or 
market. 

LYON. — Vine,  a  very  rank  and  dense  grower;  shoot,  numerous,  2  to  8  ft.,  long- 
jointed,  smooth.  Bunch,  very  small,  oblong  and  compact,  seldom,  if  ever  shouldered. 
Berry,  small,  round,  dark  red,  dry,  pleasant  flavor,  rather  sweet  and  rich;  skin  and 
pulp,  very  tender.  Season  one  week  earlier  than  Concord.  It  seems  to  be  a  shy 
bearer.  The  yield  for  this  season  was  about  y2  Ib.  and  for  the  previous  year  about 
2  Ib. 

MASSASOIT. — Vine,  a  moderate,  open  grower;  shoot,  2  to  4  ft.;  wood,  not  well 
ripened.  Bunch,  above  medium  size,  short  and  thick,  irregular,  tapering  from  a 
broad  base  to  the  tip,  only  moderately  well  filled.  Berry,  large  to  very  large,  round, 
reddish  amber  with  a  thin  bloom,  full  of  juice,  slightly  acid,  mild  and  very  pleasant, 
but  not  high  in  quality;  skin,  thin  and  very  tender;  pulp,  very  tender,  would  please  the 


1893-]  TEST    OF    VARIETIES    OF    GRAPES.  26l 

taste  of  a  great  many.  The  season  is  about  one  week  later  than  Concord.  It  is  a  very 
fair  bearer.  The  yield  for  the  past  three  years  has  been  from  about  6  to  10  Ib.  It 
would  be  recommended  to  the  amateur  or  for  a  fancy  market. 

MOVER. — Plant,  a  very  slow  grower  with  shoots  of  only  i  to  3  ft.  per  year,  short- 
jointed,  bushy,  compact.  Unless  it  grows  stronger  in  other  places  it  could  be  planted 
4  feet  each  way.  The  foliage  has  not  been  healthy,  Bunch,  very  small,  compact, 
usually  well  filled,  the  larger  ones  shouldered,  oblong,  regular,  Berry,  medium  size, 
red  with  a  blue  bloom,  moderately  juicy,  sweet,  rich  of  very  good  quality.  The  yield 
for  the  past  two  years  has  been  about  2^  Ib.  It  might  be  recommended  for  the  ama- 
teur who  desires  a  long  list  of  varieties.  Its  season  is  about  one  week  earlier  than 
Concord. 

NORFOLK. — Vine,  a  strong  grower,  somewhat  open;  shoot,  4  to  10  ft.,  stocky; 
wood,  not  well  ripened;  leaf,  large,  rough,  subject  to  downy  mildew.  Bunch,  medium 
to  large,  broad  at  base,  tapering  irregularly  to  the  tip,  usually  well  filled.  Berry, 
oval,  large,  reddish  purple  with  a  blue  bloom;  juicy,  slightly  acid,  but  very  pleasant 
and  agreeable;  skin  rather  tough,  thick;  pulp,  tough  and  hard  to  separate  from  the 
seeds.  Its  season  is  about  10  days  after  Concord.  It  has  so  far  been  a  shy  bearer. 
The  yield  for  the  past  two  seasons  has  been  only  about  4  Ib.  each  year.  It  could 
scarcely  be  recommended  except  for  the  sake  of  variety. 

ONEIDA. — Vine  has  made  a  very  weak  growth  this  year  and  is  not  at  all  healthy, 
shoot,  4  to  12  in.,  leaf,  yellowish  green,  not  healthy,  Its  diseased  condition  would 
affect  the  quality  of  the  fruit  and  the  ripening  of  the  wood  very  decidedly.  Previous 
to  this  season  it  seemed  to  be  a  fair  grower  and  comparatively  free  from  disease. 
Bunch,  small  to  medium,  cylindrical,  not  shouldered,  well  filled,  fairly  regular.  Berry 
varies  from  very  small  to  medium  in  size,  round,  white  to  bright  pink  with  a  very  thin 
bloom, sweet  without  richness  or  other  decided  character,  flat;  skin,  very  thick  and  tough; 
pulp,  tender,  meaty.  Its  season  is  two  weeks  later  than  Concord.  It  would  proba- 
bly keep  well.  It  is  a  shy  bearer  and  could  not  be  recommended. 

PERKINS. — Vine  has  made  a  moderately  healthy,  stocky  growth;  shoot,  2  to  6  ft., 
joints  usually  short;  wood,  well  ripened;  foliage,  comparatively  healthy.  Bunch, 
small,  seldom  shouldered,  cylindrical,  commonly  well  filled  and  regular.  Berry, 
large,  oval,  light  green  and  red  with  a  thin  bloom,  moderately  juicy,  sweetish,  flavor 
good,  foxy;  skin,  very  tender;  pulp,  very  tender,  meaty.  This  variety  produces  fairly 
well.  The  yield  the  past  three  years  has  been  from  6  to  10  Ib.  It  ships  well  and  is 
grown  to  some  extent  as  a  market  grape.  It  has  not  seemed  so  desirable  here  as 
many  other  varieties. 

ROCHESTER. — The  vine  made  growths  two  years  ago  of  2  to  6  ft.  and  appeared 
vigorous  and  healthy.  The  past  year  the  shoots  were  only  6  to  18  in.  with  small, 
yellow  sickly  leaves.  Bunch,  medium  to  almost  large,  broad  at  the  base,  tapering 
to  the  tip,  compact,  often  imperfect.  Berry,  medium  size,  variable,  round,  purplish 
red  with  a  thin  bloom  and  small  dots,  full  of  juice,  acid  without  high  quality;  skin, 
thin,  astringent;  pulp,  stringy.  The  season  was  two  weeks  or  more  later  than  Concord. 
It  would  undoubtedly  have  been  earlier  and  of  much  better  quality  if  the  vine  had 
been  in  good  health. 

RUBY. — Vine,  a  very  vigorous  and  dense  grower;  shoot,  2  to  8  ft.,  healthy,  well 
ripened;  leaf,  perfectly  healthy.  Bunch,  small,  shouldered,  very  imperfectly  filled, 
only  a  few  good  berries  on  each,  the  rest  only  partly  developing.  Berry,  medium  to 
large,  round,  red  with  greenish  stripes,  mild,  pleasant,  not  of  high  quality;  skin,  very 
tender;  pulp,  very  tender,  meaty.  It  has  been  a  very  shy  bearer  but  will  improve 
with  age.  There  was  not  more  than  one-half  a  pound  on  a  vine  that  was  large  enough 
to  have  borne  10  or  15  Ib.  Its  season  is  nearly  the  same  as  Concord. 

SALEM. — Vine,  a  fair  grower,  though  not  so  strong  this  year  as  previously,  open 
shoot,  i  to  5  ft.,  fairly  well  ripened;  foliage,  fairly  healthy.  Bunch,  medium  size, 


262  BULLETIN   NO.   28.  [December, 

short  and  broad,  tapering  from  base,  not  regular,  not  well  filled,  loose,  seldom 
shouldered.  Berry  large  to  very  large,  red  with  a  thin  bloom  and  inconspicuous 
brown  dots,  round,  full  of  juice,  of  very  pleasant  taste,  and  sweetish,  good  in  quality, 
without  decided  character;  skin,  rather  thin  and  tough;  pulp,  easily  separated  from 
the  seeds,  slightly  stringy.  Season,  about  4  to  7  days  later  than  Concord.  It  has 
been  only  a  moderate  bearer.  There  are  others  of  Roger's  hybrids  very  similar  in 
character  that  have  been  very  much  more  productive. 

ULSTER  PROLIFIC. — Vine  has  been  a  very  weak  grower;  shoot,  i  to  2  ft.,  slender, 
short-jointed;  wood,  well  ripened;  leaf,  small,  yellow  without  apparent  disease. 
Bunch,  small.  Berry,  small,  round,  bright  red,  of  very  good  quality.  The  yield  for 
the  past  two  years  has  been  about  ^  to  i  Ib. 

VERGENNES. — Vine, 'a  moderate  grower;  shoot,  i^  to  3  ft  ,  short-jointed;  leaves 
have  nearly  all  died  and  fallen  off.  It  has  not  done  so  well  the  past  season  as  it  had 
before.  Bunch,  small  .to  medium  size,  oval,  scarcely  shouldered,  compact,  regular. 
Berry,  nearly  round,  light  red  with  a  thin  bloom  and  conspicuous  dots;  varies  from 
medium  or  small  to  large  in  size,  juicy,  sweet  and  rich;  skin,  thick,  rather  tough; 
pulp,  very  tender,  separates  easily  from  the  seeds.  The  yield  is  about  81b.  Its  sea- 
son is  some  earlier  than  Concord.  Until  th«  past  season  this  had  been  considered  a 
very  promising  red  grape.  It  may  not  show  the  same  failing  next  year,  but  until  after 
a  longer  trial  it  could  not  be  recommended  with  any  degree  of  confidence. 

WOODRUFF  RED. — Vine,  a  moderately  good  grower;  shoot,  2  to  3^  ft.,  short- 
jointed;  foliage  only  fairly  free  from  disease.  Bunch,  medium  size,  frequently 
shouldered,  very  compact,  oval,  or  oblong,  regular.  Berry,  large,  light  red,  bloom, 
thin,  juicy,  sweet,  rich;  skin,  very  tender;  pulp,  tender,  easily  separated  from  the 
the  seed;  very  good  in  quality.  Its  season  is  about  3  to  4  days  after  Concord.  The 
yield  for  the  past  two  seasons  has  been  about  8  Ib.  a  year.  It  would  be  recommended 
to  the  amateur  for  home  use  or  for  a  near  market. 

PETER  WYLIE. — The  vine  has  proved  to  be  a  weak  grower  always  unhealthy  in 
appearance.  Bunch  and  berry,  very  small  and  not  of  a  desirable  quality.  From 
experience  here  it  could  not  be  recommended  for  any  purpose, 

WYOMING  RED. — Vine,  a  rank,  moderately  dense  grower;  shoot,  3  to  8  ft.;  wood, 
healthy  and  well  ripened;  leaf,  pale  green,  glossy,  comparatively  healthy;  Bunch, 
small,  oblong  or  tapering  slightly  from  the  base,  moderately  compact.  Berry,  a  clear 
light  red  with  a  bluish  bloom,  medium  size,  oval,  juicy,  sweetish,  very  musky,  quality 
good;  skin  and  pulp,  rather  tough.  The  rats  sometimes  take  it  very  badly,  while  they 
seldom  trouble  the  other  varieties.  It  is  a  rather  shy  bearer.  Its  season  is  about  3 
to  4  days  later  than  Concord.  It  is  not  to  be  recommended  except  to  add  to  the 
number  of  varieties. 

WHITE  VARIETIES. 

ALPHONSE — Vine,  a  strong  grower,  open;  shoot,  2  to  5  ft.,  downy,  slender, 
short-jointed;  wood,  not  well  ripened;  leaf,  somewhat  subject  to  disease.  Bunch, 
medium  size,  not  well  filled,  usually  with  a  small  shoulder.  Berry,  large,  oval,  creamy 
white  with  thin  bloom,  but  little  juice,  mild,  pleasant,  without  decided  quality;  skin, 
tender;  pulp,  very  tender,  breaking.  This  has  been  a  very  shy  bearer  yielding  less 
than  i  Ib.  either  last  year  or  this.  Its  season  is  a  little  later  than  Concord.  This  is 
a  new  variety  not  yet  disseminated,  and  from  experience  here  so  far  could  not  be 
recommended.  It  may  improve  as  the  vine  grows  older 

BARBARA. — Vine,  a  fair  open  grower;  shoot,  2  to  3  ft.,  slender;  wood,  well 
ripened;  leaf,  of  medium  size,  comparatively  free  from  disease.  Bunch,  small, 
irregular.  Berry,  medium  size,  creamy  white,  almost  yellowish  white,  rather  dry, 
sweet,  rich,  of  excellent  flavor;  skin,  thin  and  tender;  pulp,  very  tender,  meaty,  break- 
ing. Seems  to  be  a  shy  bearer.  Yield  this  year  was  abont  i  Ib.  This  is  a  new 
variety  not  yet  introduced  and  has  not  been  grown  long  enough  to  reach  full  bearing. 


1893-]  TEST    OF    VARIETIES    OF    GRAPES.  263 

BELL. — Vine,  a  rank,  rather  dense  grower;  shoot,  3  to  8  ft.,  long-jointed,  strong; 
leaf,  generally  free  from  disease.  Bunch,  small  to  medium  size,  not  well  filled,  usually 
shouldered.  Berry,  medium  size,  white  with  a  slight  bloom,  juicy,  and  agreeable;  skin, 
tender;  pulp,  very  tender;  of  excellent  quality  for  eating  or  table  use.  It  has  been  a 
shy  bearer  so  far,  but  the  vine  has  not  been  set  long  enough  to  reach  full  bearing. 
The  yield  the  past  season  was  less  than  i  Ib. 

CAMPBELL. — Vine  last  year  seemed  to  be  a  fairly  good  grower  and  productive.  This 
year  it  has  made  a  very  weak  growth  and  does  not  appear  healthy.  Bunch,  small, 
imperfect.  Berry,  medium  size,  white  with  light  bloom  of  excellent  quality;  skin, 
very  tender;  pulp,  exceedingly  tender  and  meaty.  Its  season  is  about  one  week  earlier 
than  Concord. 

CENTENNIAL. — The  vine  has  grown  well  and  seemed  healthy  until  the  last  season 
when  it  made  a  poor  growth;  shoot,  short  and  stocky.  Bunch,  medium  to  large, 
usually  shouldered  in  good  specimens,  tapering  from  the  base  to  the  tip,  compact. 
Berry,  small  to  almost  medium  size,  round,  greenish  white  with  a  purplish,  bluish, 
and  thin  bloom,  full  of  juice,  slightly  acid,  very  pleasant,  moderately  rich,  agreeable 
flavor;  skin,  tender,  thin;  pulp,  moderately  tender.  The  yield  for  the  past  two 
seasons  has  been  about  6  Ib.  each  year.  It  ripens  about  two  weeks  after  Concord. 
The  bunches  are  very  imperfect  and  present  an  uninviting  appearance. 

DUCHESS. — The  plant  made  a  very  good  growth  for  the  first  three  years,  but  the  past 
season  it  has  been  sickly  and  the  growth  very  weak.  Bunch,  medium  size,  loose,  taper- 
ing from  the  base  to  the  tip.  Berry,  medium  size,  white,  acid;  quality  only  fair.  The 
crop  for  the  past  year  was  about  i  Ib.  and  for  the  year  before  about  10  Ib. 

ELDORADO.— Vine,  a  moderate  grower,  healthy.  Bunch,  of  medium  size  or 
below,  usually  not  well  filled,  shoulder  large.  Berry,  round,  greenish  white  with  a 
white  bloom,  variable  in  size  and  often  imperfect;  mild,  pleasant,  sweet,  not  rich  or 
foxy;  quality  very  good;  skin  and  pulp,  tender.  Season  is  nearly  the  same  as  Moore's 
early.  Use,  table  or  near  market.  It  would  not  bear  much  handling.  It  is  only  a 
moderate  bearer. 

ELVIRA. —Vine,  a  very  strong,  dense  grower;  shoot,  3  to  6  ft.,  short-jointed;  wood, 
well  ripened;  leaf,  almost  perfectly  healthy.  Bunch,  small,  very  firm,  ovate  or  oblong, 
seldom  shouldered.  Berry,  crowded,  compressed,  greenish  white,  medium  size,  vary- 
ing to  small,  moderately  juicy,  acid,  of  poor  quality;  skin,  very  tender;  pulp,  meaty, 
very  tender.  The  crop  for  the  past  three  years  has  been  from  8  to  ijj  Ib.  Its 
season  is  a  little  later  than  Concord.  It  might  be  recommended  for  making  jel- 
lies, etc. 

EMPIRE  STATE. — Vine,  a  good  grower,  moderately  dense;  shoot,  2  to  4  ft.,  branch- 
ing, short-jointed;  leaf,  subject  to  downy  mildew.  Bunch,  small,  oblong,  regular, 
seldom  shouldered,  compact.  Berry,  medium  size  or  above,  round,  pale,  greenish 
white  with  a  very  thin  bloom  and  a  few  inconspicuous  brown  dots,  almost  transparent, 
juicy,  sugary  sweet,  not  of  high  quality;  skin,  thick,  moderately  tender;  pulp,  tender. 
The  yield  this  season  was  about  10  Ib.  It  ripens  about  one  week  later  than  Concord. 
It  might  be  of  value  to  one  who  likes  a  very  sweet  grape  but  does  not  care  so  much 
for  other  qualities. 

ETTA. — Vine,  a  rank,  dense  grower,  healthy;  shoot,  3  to  8  ft.,  rather  stocky,  short- 
jointed;  leaf,  thick,  large  and  healthy.  Bunch,  small,  oval  or  oblong  in  outline,  very 
compact,  not  shouldered.  Berry,  small  to  medium  size,  oval  from  being  compressed, 
greenish  white  with  a  thin  whitish  bloom,  full  of  juice,  acid  not  rich,  but  pleasant  and 
agreeable  when  fully  ripe;  skin,  tender;  pulp,  tender.  This  variety  is  a  very  prolific 
bearer.  The  yield  for  the  past  three  years  has  been  from  10  to  15  Ib.  Its  season  is 
from  a  week  to  10  days  later  than  Concord.  It  would  only  be  recommended  for  jel- 
lies, etc.  It  is  very  similar  in  many  respects  to  Elvira. 

FAITH. — Vine,  a  moderate  grower;  shoot,  i  to  4  ft.,  short-jointed,  not  well  ripened 


264  BULLETIN   NO.   28.  [December, 

leaf,  badly  diseased  so  early  as  to  hurt  both  wood  and  fruit.  Bunch,  very  small. 
Berry,  very  small,  white;  skin,  tender;  pulp,  sweet  and  rich.  It  is  a  poor  bearer  and 
is  not  recommended. 

GOLD  COIN. — Vine,  a  strong  grower;  shoot,  2  to  6  ft.,  rather  slender,  compara- 
tively healthy;  leaf,  somewhat  liable  to  downy  mildew.  Bunch,  of  medium  size, 
open,  tapering  from  a  broad  base  to  the  tip.  Berry,  large,  round,  creamy  \vhite  with 
a  thin  bloom  and  a  few  brown  dots,  showy,  juicy,  sweet,  moderately  rich,  very  good; 
skin,  thick,  tough;  pulp,  tender.  Its  season  is  about  one  week  after  Concord.  It 
is  a  fair  bearer.  The  yield  this  season  was  about  6  Ib.  The  fruit  adheres  well  to 
the  bunch  and  ought  to  keep  well.  The  vine  is  not  yet  old  enough  to  have  reached 
full  bearing. 

GOLDEN  GEM. — A  very  weak  grower,  compact;  shoot,  6  to  18  in.,  slender  short- 
jointed;  leaf,  very  small,  comparatively  free  from  disease.  Bunch,  very  small,  rag- 
ged, loose,  irregular  in  form.  Berry,  small,  nearly  round,  white  or  creamy  white 
with  a  thin  b^om,  moderately  juicy,  slightly  acid,  very  pleasant  in  taste,  vinous; 
skin,  very  tender;  pulp,  tender,  easily  separated  from  the  seeds.  Season  is  about  the 
same  as,  or  later  than,  Concord.  A  very  shy  bearer.  There  seems  to  be  no  reason 
to  recommend  it. 

GREEN  MOUNTAIN. — Vine,  a  moderate  grower,  compact;  shoot  2  to  4  ft.,  slender, 
well  ripened  and  healthy;  leaf,  below  medium  size,  light  green;  free  from  disease. 
Bunch,  medium  size,  tapering  from  the  base  without  distinct  shoulder,  well  filled, 
regular.  Berry,  oval,  creamy  white  with  thin  bloom  and  inconspicuous  brown  dots, 
moderately  juicy,  very  sweet,  rich  and  with  a  pleasant  flavor;  skin,  thin,  rather  tough; 
pulp,  tender,  meaty;  seeds,  very  small;  berries  hang  well  to  the  bunch,  drying  up 
without  dropping  off.  This  seems  to  be  nearer  a  raisin  grape  than  any  other  variety 
tested.  It  has  so  far  been  only  moderately  productive,  but  is  not  yet  old  enough  to 
be  in  full  bearing.  Its  season  is  nearly  the  same  as  Moore's  early. 

GREIN'S  GOLDEN. — Vine,  a  rank,  rather  dense  grower;  shoot  from  3  to  8  ft., close- 
jointed;  leaf,  rough,  large,  coarse,  very  free  from  disease.  Bunch,  on  a  long  stem, 
above  medium  size  to  large,  cylindrical,  only  occasionally  shouldered,  compact,  regu- 
lar. Berry,  round,  large,  greenish  white  with  a  thin  bluish  white  bloom,  only  be- 
coming golden  when  over  ripe,  very  juicy,  slightly  acid,  pleasant,  not  rich;  skin,  very 
tender;  pulp,  tender  and  easily  separated  from  the  seeds;  very  good  in  quality.  It 
is  an  abundant  bearer.  The  yield  the  past  three  years  has  been  from  10  to  14  Ib. 
each  year.  -  Its  season  is  from  10  to  14  days  later  than  Concord.  It  sells  well  on  ac- 
count of  its  fine  appearance,  but  is  too  tender  for  distant  markets.  This  is  a  desirable 
white  grape  on  account  of  its  appearance  and  bearing  quality. 

F.  B.  HAYES. — Vine,  a  very  moderate  grower,  open,  healthy;  wood,  very  firm 
and  well-ripened;  shoot,  i  to  3  ft.,  short-jointed,  slender;  leaf,  healthy.  Bunch,  small, 
broader  at  base  than  apex,  compact  with  many  undeveloped  berries.  Berry,  small 
to  medium  in  size,  round,  creamy  to  greenish  white  with  thin  bloom,  full  of  juice, 
rich,  sweet,  of  very  fine  quality;  skin,  very  tender;  pulp,  tough  and  hard  to  separate 
from  the  seeds.  Its  season  is  about  the  same  as  Concord.  It  is  not  an  abundunt 
bearer  and  would  be  recommended  for  the  amateur  only. 

JESSICA. — Vine,  a  moderate  grower,  open;  shoot,  i  to  3  ft.,  short-jointed;  wood, 
well  ripened,  stiff;  leaf,  below  medium  size,  comparatively  free  from  disease.  Bunch, 
small,  compact,  oblong,  or  cylindrical,  seldom  shouldered,  regular.  Berry,  medium, 
round,  creamy  white  with  a  thin  white  bloom,  numerous  and  conspicuous  brown  dots, 
juicy,  sweetish,  very  pleasant,  mild  and  agreeable,  flavor,  very  good.  The  vine  has 
produced  from  6  to  8  Ib.  each  year  for  the  past  three  years.  Its  season  is  4  to  5  days 
later  than  Concord. 

LADY. — The  vine  is  a  rather  weak  grower  and  has  been  a  light  bearer.  The 
foliage  is  too  subject  to  disease.  Bunch,  of  medium  size,  cylindrical,  with  little  or 


1893-]  TEST    OF    VARIETIES    OF    GRAPES.  265 

no  shoulder,  not  at  all  uniform  in  size,  usually  straggling.  Berry,  varies  from  small 
to  large,  round,  creamy  white  with  thin  bloom  and  conspicuous  dots.  The  smaller 
berries  are  seedless,  sweet,  very  pleasant,  not  high  flavor,  not  foxy;  skin,  tender; 
pulp,  rather  tough.  Its  use  would  be  for  the  table.  Its  season  is  the  same  as  the  Con- 
cord. The  berries  do  not  ripen  evenly  on  the  bunch  and  are  not  good  until  fully 
ripe.  It  is  scarcely  to  be  recommended. 

LADY  WASHINGTON. — The  vine  has  been  a  fair  grower  until  the  last  season  when 
it  did  not  make  a  good  or  healthy  growth.  Bunch,  small,  broader  at  the  base,  taper- 
ing toward  the  point,  moderately  regular,  open.  Berry,  small,  round,  creamy  white 
with  a  thin  bloom,  not  uniform  in  size,  varying  from  %  to  more  than  yz  in.  in  diame- 
ter; the  smaller  ones  seedless,  juicy,  acid  without  richness;  skin,  tender,  astringent; 
pulp,  tender,  easily  separated  from  the  seeds.  This  is  a  good  bearer  when  in  health. 
Its  season  is  about  one  week  later  than  Concord. 

MARTHA. — Vine,  a  moderate,  very  open  grower;  shoot,  2  to  4  ft.,  slender,  dark, 
almost  brown;  joint,  long;  wood,  well  ripened;  leaf,  medium  size,  free  from  disease. 
Bunch,  large,  rather  open,  broad  at  the  base,  tapering  to  the  tip.  Berry,  medium  size, 
round,  creamy  white,  almost  yellow  when  full  ripe  with  a  thin  bloom  and  small  brown 
dots,  but  little  juice,  very  pleasant,  slightly  acid,  very  good  in  quality;  skin,  very  tender; 
pulp,  very  tender,  meaty,  easily  separated  from  the  seeds.  Its  season  is  some  later 
than  Concord.  It  yields  sparingly  and  is  not  recommended  for  the  general  grower. 

MASON'S  SEEDLING. — The  vine  has  been  a  strong  grower  until  the  last  year. 
Bunch,  medium  size  or  above,  tapering  from  the  base  to  the  apex,  fairly  compact. 
Berry,  large,  round,  pale,  greenish  white  with  a  very  thin  bloom,  juicy,  mild,  pleas- 
ant, sub-acid,  not  rich;  skin,  very  tender;  pulp,  tough.  A  very  good  bearer.  Its 
season  is  about  the  same  as  Concord.  Use,  table,  or  for  jellies,  etc.  It  would  not 
make  a  market  grape  on  account  of  appearance.  We  could  not  recommend  it  for 
general  planting,  though  it  stands  above  the  average  among  white  grapes. 

MISSOURI  REISLING. — Vine,  a  very  rank,  dense  grower;  shoot  4  to  10  ft  ,  joint, 
long;  wood,  well  ripened;  leaf,  large,  dark  green,  coarse,  free  from  disease.  Bunch, 
small  to  medium  size,  usually  cylindrical  or  oblong  with  a  small  shoulder,  compact. 
Berry,  medium  to  large,  oval,  greenish  white,  becomes  amber  when  over  ripe  with  a 
very  thin  bloom  and  conspicuous  dots;  full  of  juice,  slightly  acid,  with  but  little  rich- 
ness, pleasant  to  the  taste;  skin,  very  tender;  pulp,  tender.  Its  season  is  about  one 
week  later  than  Concord.  The  yield  for  the  past  three  years  has  been  from  8  to  12  Ib. 
It  is  very  similar  in  general  appearance  to  Elvira  and  Etta. 

MOORE'S  DIAMOND. — The  plant  has  been  a  good  strong  grower  until  the  past 
season,  when  it  made  shoots  of  only  6  to  8  in  ,  and  lookedxas  if  about  dead.  Bunch, 
very  large,  shouldered,  fairly  compact.  Berry,  white  or  yellowish  white,  large,  round 
with  a  thin  bloom,  becoming  brown  or  blistered  where  exposed  to  the  sun,  juicy,  sweet, 
mild  pleasant  flavor,  but  not  rich;  skin  and  pulp  very  tender.  It  presented  the  finest 
appearance  of  any  of  our  white  grapes  when  the  vine  was  in  good  health,  but  its  be- 
havior the  past  season  prevents  recommending  it  with  any  degree  of  confidence.  Its 
season  is  a  little  later  than  Concord. 

NIAGARA. — The  vine  is  a  very  strong  grower  and  free  from  disease.  Bunch,  when 
fully  developed,  very  large  and  well  shouldered,  tapering  from  the  base  to  the  tip  and 
fairly  compact;  as  grown  here  most  bunches  are  not  large  and  are  very  poorly  filled. 
Berry,  large,  round,  greenish  white  with  a  thin  white  bloom,  almost  sweet,  without 
richness,  slightly  foxy;  skin  and  pulp,  very  tender.  This  variety  has  been  a  fair 
bearer.  The  yield  for  the  past  two  years  has  been  8  to  10  Ib.  Its  season  is  3  to  4 
days  later  than  Concord.  It  has  not,  with  us,  justified  the  claims  that  were  made  for 
it  when  it  was  introduced,  and  is  not  recommended  for  general  planting. 

NOAH. — Vine,  a  very  vigorous,  dense  grower,  making  an  excess  of  wood  ;  excep- 
tionally free  from  disease,  either  of  the  plant  or  fruit,  and  a  regular  and  heavy  bearer. 
Bunch,  medium  size,  shouldered,  very  compact,  the  berries  flattened  against  each 


z66  BULLETIN  NO.   28.  [December, 

other.  Berry,  large,  round,  pale,  greenish  white  with  a  thin  white  bloom;  juice, 
watery,  sour  without  richness;  skin,  tender;  pulp,  tender  when  fully  ripe.  Its  season  is 
3  days  to  a  week  later  than  Concord.  Its  principle  use  would  be  in  making  jellies.  The 
yield  for  the  past  three  years  has  been  from  10  to  14  Ib.  Although  a  heavy  bearer  it 
is  not  recommended. 

PEARL. — Vine,  a  very  rank  and  rather  dense  grower;  shoot,  4  to  10  ft.;  most  of 
the  wood  wall  ripsned;  leaf,  large,  rough,  and  comparatively  free  from  disease. 
Bunch,  small,  to  medium,  not  shouldered,  cylindrical  or  oblong,  compact.  Berry, 
small  to  medium,  round,  greenish  white,  thin  bloom  and  a  few  small  brown  dotsr 
moderately  juicy,  sweetish,  quality  only  fair,  rather  flat;  skin,  tender;  pulp,  very 
tender.  Though  the  plant  has  not  reached  full  bearing  it  would  be  classed  as  a  light 
yielder.  Its  season  is  nearly  two  weeks  later  than  Concord.  From  our  experience  it 
could  not  be  recommended. 

POCKLINGTON. — Vine  has  been  until  the  last  year  a  very  fair  grower.  The  leaves 
died  and  dropped  some  for  the  past  two  years.  Bunch,  medium  size  to  large, .  short 
and  thick,  oblong,  inclined  to  be  irregular  and  not  well  filled.  Berry,  very  irregular 
in  size,  often  imperfectly  developed,  oblate,  creamy  white  when  fully  ripe  with  russet 
patches  and  inconspicuous  brown  dots  and  thin  bloom,  moderately  juicy;  quality, 
moderately  good;  skin,  very  tender;  pulp,  tender  and  meaty,  slightly  acid  and  some 
astringency  next  the  skin.  Its  season  is  about  4  to  5  days  after  Concord 

PRENTISS. — Vine,  a  moderately  vigorous  grower,  open;  shoot,  2  to  6  ft.,  stout, 
short-jointed,  downy;  leaf,  pale  green,  subject  to  downy  mildew.  Bunch,  small, 
short  and  thick,  tapering  from  the  base  to  the  apex.  Berry,  medium  to  very  large, 
oval,  greenish  white  to  pink  or  light  red  with  a  thin  white  bloom,  very  juicy,  an  agree- 
able mixture  of  sweet  and  sour,  without  high  quality;  skin,  very  tender;  pulp,  some- 
what stringy,  but  tender.  Its  season  is  late,  2  to  three  weeks  after  Concord.  It  has 
been  a  shy  bearer.  The  crop  for  the  past  three  years  being  only  from  2  to  4  Ib. 

TRANSPARENT. — Vine,  a  rank  grower;  shoot,  4  to  12  ft.;  joint,  of  medium  length; 
wood,  well  ripsned;  leaf,  large,  smooth,  comparatively  free  from  disease.  Bunch, 
very  small,  3  in.  long,  cylindrical,  shouldered,  fairly  compact,  regular.  Berry,  small 
to  very  small,  pale  greenish  white  with  a  very  thin  bloom,  so  nearly  transparent  that 
the  seed  can  be  seen  in  outline,  numerous  conspicuous  small  brown  dots,  rather  dry, 
acid  without  richness;  skin,  rather  tough,  thin;  pulp,  meaty,  only  moderately  tender. 
It  has  been  so  far  a  shy  bearer.  The  crop  this  season  was  about  i  Ib.  on  a  vine  large 
and  old  enough  to  have  borne  15  Ib.  There  seems  no  reason  for  recommending  it. 

TRIUMPH. — Vine,  a  moderate,  stocky,  healthy  grower;  shoot,  2  to  5  ft.;  wood, 
well  ripened;  leaf,  large,  dark  green,  free  from  disease.  Bunch,  medium  size,  cylin- 
drical, shouldered.  Berry,  medium  size,  round,  juicy,  greenish  white,  thin  bloom, 
acid  without  richness;  skin,  tough;  pulp,  tender.  Season  is  about  2  weeks  later  than 
Concord.  The  yield  the  past  year  was  about  i%  Ib.  There  seems  to  be  no  reason  to 
recommend  it. 

UHLAND. — Vine,  a  very  rank  and  dense  grower;  shoot,  3  to  10  ft,  rather  slender, 
joint,  medium  length.  Bunch,  very  small,  nearly  cylindrical  in  outline,  sometimes 
shouldered,  seldom  regular,  often  very  imperfectly  filled.  Berry,  small,  greenish  white, 
becoming  almost  a  creamy  white  with  a  thin  bloom,  pleasant  without  positive  char- 
acter; skin,  tender,  thin;  pulp,  tender,  meaty,  almost  dry,  separates  easily  from  the 
seeds.  Berries  drop  easily  from  the  stem.  A  shy  bearer.  The  yield  was  about  2  Ib. 
this  year  and  was  less  last.  Its  season  is  4  to  5  days  later  than  Concord.  There  seems 
no  good  reason  for  recommending  it. 

WINCHELL. — This  is  generally  conceded  to  be  the  same  as  Green  Mountain. 
While  there  has  been  some  difference  between  them  here,  there  has  been  no  more  than 
between  different  individuals  of  the  same  variety  as  grown  in  other  parts  of  the  vine- 
yard. 


1893-]  TEST    OF    VARIETIES    OF    GRAPES.  267 

VARIETIES  THAT  HAVE  FAILED. 

The  following  varieties  have  been  practical  or  complete  failures  so 
far  as  tried  here. 

ADIRONDACK. — Planted  in  1890,  has  always  been  a  very  poor  grower,  is  nearly 
dead  and  has  borne  no  fruit. 

BLACK  EAGLE. — Planted  in  1890,  has  been  a  very  weak  grower,  and,  though  the 
shoots  and  leaves  look  healthy,  the  plant  is  not  so  large  as  when  first  set  out.  It  has 
borne  no  fruit. 

CONCORD  CHASSELAS. — Planted  in  1889,  has  been  a  very  weak  grower  and  though 
the  foliage  looks  healthy  it  has  never  made  shoots  of  more  than  8  inches  in  length.  It 
has  borne  three  small  bunches  of  grapes,  Bunch,  small.  Berry,  small,  white,  acid, 
not  rich.  Of  no  value  here. 

CONCORD  MUSCAT. — Planted  in  1889,  died  after  the  first  year. 

CORNUCOPIA.— Planted  in  1888,  died  before  the  end  of  the  first  season,  and  was 
not  replaced. 

CREVELING. — Planted  in  1889,  is  a  very  weak  grower  and  has  not  been  healthy. 
It  has  borne  a  few  berries.  These  were  small  and  not  of  good  quality. 

EXCELSIOR. — One  plant  set  in  1890  and  one  in  1891;  both  are  nearly  dead  and  have 
borne  no  fruit. 

HIGHLAND. — Planted  in  1890,  is  very  nearly  dead  and  has  borne  no  fruit. 

MERRIMAC. — Planted  in  1889,  has  always  been  weak,  usually  dropping  its  leaves 
early,  and  is  now  nearly  dead.  It  has  borne  no  fruit. 

MAXATAWNEY. — Planted  in  1889,  has  always  been  a  very  weak  grower,  is  nearly 
dead  and  has  borne  no  fruit. 

PIZZARO. — Planted  in  1889,  has  been  a  very  poor  grower  and  the  leaves  have 
dropped  badly.  It  has  borne  no  fruit. 

POUGHKEEPSIE. — The  vine  is  no  larger  than  when  first  planted  in  1890.  It  has 
borne  no  fruit, 

REBECCA. — Vine,  a  weak  grower;  shoot,  slender,  i  to  3  ft.  long;  leaf,  small,  yellow- 
ish green.  The  plant  set  in  1889  bore  only  four  berries  this  year  and  none  last. 
Berry,  white,  oval,  mild,  pleasant;  skin  and  pulp,  tender. 

TELEGRAPH. — Planted  in  1890;  has  always  been  a  very  poor  grower  and  the  leaves 
subject  to  disease.  It  has  borne  no  fruit. 

WAVERLY. — Planted  in  1880,  made  a  sickly  growth  for  two  years  and  then  died. 

CONCLUSIONS. 

As  a  result  of  the  test  of  varieties  here  and  from  this  general  repu- 
tation as  grown  in  other  places  the  following  recommendations  would 
be  made: 

Grapes  for  market; 

Black. — Concord,  Worden,  Ives  Seedling. 

Red. — Delaware,  Lindley. 

White. — Grein's  golden,  Niagara. 

For  home  use — List  would  be  nearly  the  same: 

Black. — Concord  or  Worden,  Moore's  Early. 

Red. — Delaware,  Lindley,  Massasoit,  Brighton. 

White. — Grein's  golden,  Elvira,  Niagara,  Green  Mountain. 


268  BULLETIN  NO.   28.  [December, 

There  are  many  other  varieties  that  are  of  value  and  probably  some 
that  with  more  and  wider  experience  would  be  placed  above  part  of 
those  named.  It  will  be  seen  that  most  of  the  varieties  named  are  by 
no  means  new.  Most  of  the  new  things  prove  to  be,  not  improvements 
on,  but  only  variations  from,  old  varieties. 

G.  W.  MCCLUER,  M.S., 

Assistant  Horticulturist. 


A  GRAPE  DISEASE. 

In  addition  to  the  considerable  number  of  parasitic  and  other  of  the 
grape  diseases  now  well-known,  there  has  recently  been  noticed  upon  this 
plant  what  seems  to  be  a  new  disease,  the  cause  of  which  has  not  been  de- 
termined. From  the  descriptions  published  in  Bulletin  No.  2,  Division  of 
Vegetable  Pathology,  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture,  upon 
"  A  California  Vine  Disease,"  it  seems  probable  that  we  have  here  the 
same  malady  to  contend  with.  The  identification,  however,  has  not 
been  made  by  any  one  qualified  to  express  an  authoritative  opinion. 

Definite  notice  was  first  taken  of  the  disease  in  the  summer  and  fall 
of  1889.  It  was  observed  more  on  the  Concord  than  on  any  other 
variety,  probably  because  there  are  more  Concords  grown,  than  for  any 
other  reason.  The  trouble  usually  makes  itself  apparent  about  the  mid- 
dle of  the  summer.  The  edges  of  a  few  of  the  leaves,  usually  the  older 
ones,  are  affected  first.  These  turn  yellow,  then  gradually  die,  and  as 
the  disease  progresses  the  whole  leaf  and  additional  leaves  are  affected. 
Before  the  leaves  are  entirely  dead  they  drop  off  leaving  the  vine  more 
or  less  bare.  The  blade  often  separates  from  its  stock,  which  adheres 
for  a  time  to  the  stem.  The  disease  or  its  effects  have  not  been  noticed  on 
the  stems  until  after  the  frost  has  killed  the  leaves.  This  is  probably  due 
to  lack  of  sufficient  observation,  since  but  little  attention  has  been  paid 
to  the  plants  from  the  time  of  the  ripening  of  the  fruit  until  the  fall 
pruning,  which  is  usually  done  in  November.  When  the  fruit  was 
picked  this  season  in  September  the  shoots  from  which  the  leaves  had 
fallen  as  a  result  of  the  disease  were  still  alive,  and  unless  the  disease 
had  been  very  bad  there  was  nothing  in  their  appearance  to  attract 
attention.  November  loth  it  was  found  that  on  all  plants  on  which 
leaves  were  badly  affected  a  large  part  of  the  current  season's  growth 
was  dead,  sometimes  back  to  the  old  wood,  but  more  often  with  from  i 
to  4  joints  at  the  base  still  alive. 

A  vineyard  of  Concords,  near  the  University  farm,  that  has  been 
poorly  cultivated  and  otherwise  poorly  cared  for,  has  shown  the  disease 
more  than  any  other  examined.  In  o'ur  own  vineyard  of  Concords  the 


TEST    OF    VARIETIES    OF    GRAPES. 


269 


disease  was  worse  where  the  vines  were  not  cultivated  than  where  they 
were,  and  among  the  vines  not  cultivated  it  seemed  worst  on  plants  car- 
rying the  most  fruit. 

Ives  seedling,  in  our  vineyard  of  varieties,  was  somewhat  diseased 
in  1892,  and  in  1893  the  disease  was  so  bad  that  three-fourths  of  the 
leaves  dropped  and  the  shoots  were  only  6  to  12  in.  long;  while  in 
another  vineyard  less  than  one- fourth  of  a  mile  away  the  same  variety 


VARIETIES  SHOWING  THE  DISEASE 
WORST  IN  1892. 


Beauty. 


Centennial. 

Cottage. 

Delaware  (one  plant). 


Eldorado. 
Eumelan. 


Grein's  golden. 
F.  B.  Hayes. 

Ives  seedling  (2  plants). 


Lady. 


Mills. 

Moore's  diamond. 

Moore's  early  (  2  plants). 


Norwood. 


Pocklington. 
Telegraph. 


Transparent. 
Wyoming  red  (2  plants). 


VARIETIES  SHOWING  THE  DISEASE 

WORST  IN  1893. 
Alphonse. 
Agawam. 
August  giant. 
Beauty. 
Cambridge. 
Centennial. 

Concord  (one  vine  in  the  variety  vine- 
yard and  several  in  the  other.) 
Cottage. 

Delaware  (one  plant,  but  not  the  same 
as  1892. 

Duchess. 
Dracut  amber. 
Early  victor. 


Essex. 
Faith 


Ives  seedling  (all  the  vines  in  vineyard 
of  varieties,  but  none  in  the  other. ) 
Jefferson. 
Jewel. 
Lady. 

Lady  Washington. 
Mason's  seedling. 
Mills. 

Moore's  diamond. 
Moore's  early  (all). 
New  Haven. 
Norfolk. 

Oneida. 
Pocklington. 
Rochester. 
Telegraph. 
Uhland. 
Vergennes. 
White  Hall. 
Woodruff  red. 


Wyoming  red  (2  plants). 


270  BULLETIN   NO.   28.  [December, 

was  entirely  exempt.  The  latter  vineyard  is  on  level  land,  though  not 
low.  The  former  is  on  comparatively  high  and  well  drained  land. 
Both  were  kept  well  cultivated  and  were  otherwise  well  cared  for. 

As  noted  before  on  page  250  one  Delaware  vine  that  was  diseased 
in  1892  seemed  healthy  the  next  year.  Some  of  our  Concords  that  were 
badly  diseased  in  1891  were  comparatively  healthy  in  1892,  but  were 
again  more  or  less  affected  the  past  season.  Whether  the  vines  in  our 
variety  vineyard  which  have  shed  their  leaves  so  much  for  the  past  year 
or  two  will  recover  and  be  again  as  good  as  ever  remains  to  be  seen. 
The  varieties  worst  diseased  in  1892  and  in  1893  are  arranged  on  p.  269 
in  parallel  columns  for  comparison.  It  will  be  seen  that  there  are  more 
the  last  year,  but  that  a  few  of  those  noted  as  being  badly  diseased  in 
1892  are  not  in  the  list  for  1893. 

G.  W.  MCCLUER,  M.S., 

Assistant  Horticulturist. 


GRAPES,  METHODS  OF  TRAINING. 

In  1888  six  rows  of  grapes  were  planted  with  a  view  to  trying  the 
comparative  merits  of  some  of  the  more  simple  methods  of  training 
grapes. 

There  were  eight  plants  and  five  different  varieties  in  each  row. 
The  varieties  were  Concord,  Worden,  Moore's  early,  Ives  seedling  and 
Delaware.  The  methods  of  training  used  have  not  been  so  varied  yet  as 
at  first  planned,  and  the  results  obtained  have  not  been  by  any  means  exact. 

The  rows  of  grapes  run  north  and  south  and  the  vines  are  ten  feet 
apart  in  the  row.  The  first  row  is  trained  on  a  horizontal  trellis;  the 
second,  on  a  single  wire;  the  third,  on  an  ordinary  three  wire  trellis  with 
a  roof  of  boards  over  it;  the  fourth  and  fifth,  on  a  three- wire  trellis; and 
the  sixth  is  trained  to  stakes.  The  horizontal  trellis  is  31^  ft.  from  the 
ground,  made  by  putting  cross-bars  two  feet  long  on  posts  3^  ft.  high 
and  then  stretching  three  wires,  one  of  which  is  fastened  to  the  posts 
and  the  others  to  the  ends  of  the  cross-bars.  The  single  wire  is  3^  ft. 
high.  The  wires  of  the  third,  fourth  and  fifth  rows  are  2,  3^  and  5  ft. 
respectively  from  the  ground.  The  roof  of  boards  consists  of  a  V-shaped 
trough  made  of  12  in.  boards  inverted  over  the  trellis  and  making  a  roof 
of  20  in.  wide.  The  thought  in  using  the  roof  was  that  it  would  keep 
off  rain  and  dew,  and  to  a  great  extent  stop  the  growth  of  the  fungus 
which  causes  the  black  rot.  The  stakes  in  row  6  are  five  feet  high. 
The  method  of  pruning  has  been  as  nearly  the  same  for  all  methods  of 
training  as  it  was  possible  to  make  it,  and  there  has  been  no  practical 
difference  so  far  as  the  grapes  on  trellis  are  concerned;  but  those  on 
stakes  have  necessarily  been  trimmed  closer,  usually  not  more  than  half  so 


1893-]  TEST    OF    VARIETIES    OF    GRAPES.  271 

much  bearing  wood  being  left  to  each  vine  as  there  was  on  the  trellised 
rows.  On  the  horizontal  trellis  there  has  been  for  three  years  one  cane  or 
branch  of  the  vine  run  each  way  on  each  wire.  On  the  single  wire 
there  have  been  two  canes  or  branches  each  way,  and  on  the  upright 
trellises  there  have  usually  been  three  branches  running  each  way,  one 
on  each  wire. 

From  the  location  of  the  vineyard  near  a  prominent  roadway  it  has 
been  impracticable  to  do  more  than  estimate  the  yields  without  taking 
off  the  fruit  while  it  was  yet  green,  and  that  was  not  done.  Taking  the 
estimates,  the  Concord  has  done  decidedly  the  best  on  the  three-wire 
horizontal  trellis  and  poorest  on  the  stakes,  the  yield  for  three  years  on 
the  horizontal  trellis  being,  for  the  single  vine,  from  24  to  33  Ib.  each 
year,  while  the  two  vines  on  stakes  gave  about  5  to  8  Ib.  each  during 
the  same  time.  Concord,  as  well  as  all  the  rest,  under  the  roof  of  boards 
has  decayed  comparatively  less  than  on  check  row  without  the  cover; 
but  the  tranches  have  almost  invariably  been  much  inferior  in  size  and 
very  poorlv  filled.  The  two  vines  on  the  single  wire  have  produced  12 
to  20  Ib.  and  one  vine  on  the  upright,  three-wire  trellis  has  yielded 
about  the  same.  The  yield  of  two  vines  under  cover  has  been  from  10 
to  12  Ib.  each  year. 

The  grapes  planted  for  Worden  have  been  taken  out  and  new  ones 
put  in  their  place,  because  it  is  thought  they  were  nearly  all  Concords. 

Moore's  early  has  done  best  on  the  three- wire  horizontal  trellis; 
next  best  on  the  three-wire  upright  trellis;  next  on  the  single  wire;  next 
on  the  covered  trellis,  and  poorest  on  stakes. 

Ives  seedling  has  seemed  to  do  a  trifle  better  on  the  upright  trellis; 
next  best  on  the  horizontal  trellis;  next  on  the  single  wire;  next  under 
cover;  and  poorest  on  stakes. 

Delaware  the  past  year  has  been  perhaps  somewhat  better  on  a 
horizontal  trellis;  but  the  two  years  before  it  seemed  to  do  rather  better 
on  the  upright  trellis."  Taking  the  last  three  years  together  there  has 
been  practically  no  difference  in  this  variety  between  the  two  methods 
of  training.  The  single  wire  trellis  gave  the  next  best  results;  covered 
trellis  next;  and  stakes  again  the  poorest. 

Taking  the  five  varieties  as  a  whole  they  have  done  best  on  the 
horizontal  trellis,  though  there  has  not  been  much  difference  between 
that  and  the  upright  three-wire  trellis  except  with  Concord. 

The  vines  on  stakes  have  uniformly  made  the  poorest  growth  and 
given  the  smallest  yield. 

The  grapes  on  the  covered  trellis  have  rotted  less  than  those  on  a 
row  beside  it,  not  covered,  but  it  has  also  yielded  considerably  less  from  a 
failure  of  the  fruit  to  set. 

Grapes  are  more  easily  trained  on  trellises  than  on  stakes  and  as  the 
vine  does  not  make  such  a  compact  mass  on  the  trellis  it  is  much  easier 
to  get  at  the  fruit  either  in  spraying  or  harvesting. 

While  there  has  been  no  chance  to  make  a  comparison  of  different 


272  BULLETIN   NO.  28.  [December,  1893. 

heights  for  the  horizontal  trellis,  ours  seem  to  be  too  low  for  the  greatest 
convenience.  It  is  found  easier  to  pick  the  fruit  by  getting  under  the 
trellis  than  by  standing  at  one  side  of  it,  because  the  br-anches  all  hang 
down  and  are  in  plain  sight  from  below. 

All  communications  intended  for  the  Station  should  be  addressed, 
not  to  any  person,  but  to  the 

AGRICULTURAL  EXPERIMENT  STATION,  CHAMPAIGN,  ILLINOIS. 

The  bulletins  of  the  Experiment  Station  will  be  sent  free  of  all 
charges  to  persons  engaged  in  farming  who  may  request  that  they 
be  sent. 

G.  W.  McCLUER,  M.S., 

Assistant  Horticulturist. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS-URBANA 


